A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Notes:A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – D
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7
Introduction
The Ab Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (Ab7\u266f11) consists of the notes Ab, C, D, Eb, Gb. It is a dominant 7th chord with an augmented (sharpened) 11th, creating a distinctive tritone clash, giving it a tense, tritone-driven character central to the Lydian Dominant sound in jazz and fusion. Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#4-5-b7.
Enharmonic equivalent: A♭ is enharmonically equivalent to G♯. See G# Dominant 7th Sharp 11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Ab Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 4 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭.
B♭E♭A♭D♭
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
The A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A4-P5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A4-P5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Ab Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Ab7#11 contains: Ab, C, D, Eb, Gb. Lydian Dominant sound.
How does Ab7#11 differ from Ab7?
Adds D (the #11).
How does Ab7#11 differ from Ab11?
Ab11 has Db (clashes with C). Ab7#11 has D which doesn't clash.
How is Ab7#11 used?
Lydian Dominant. Jazz. Tritone sub for D7.
What scale matches Ab7#11?
Ab Lydian Dominant — 4th mode of Eb melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz, R&B.
Practice Tips
- Play Ab7 then add D — Lydian Dominant brightness.
- The #11 doesn't clash with the third.
- Tritone sub for D7.
- Lydian Dominant scale.
- Common in jazz and R&B.
- Practice Ab7#11 → Db resolution.