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 A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (A7\u266f11) consists of the notes A, C#, D#, E, G. 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.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 3 sharps: F♯, C♯, G♯.
F♯C♯G♯
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 A Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
A7#11 contains: A, C#, D#, E, G. Lydian Dominant sound.
How does A7#11 differ from A7?
Adds D# (the #11).
How does A7#11 differ from A11?
A11 has D (clashes with C#). A7#11 has D# which doesn't clash.
How is A7#11 used?
Lydian Dominant. Jazz, blues-jazz. Tritone sub for Eb7.
What scale matches A7#11?
A Lydian Dominant: A, B, C#, D#, E, F#, G — 4th mode of E melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz, fusion.
Practice Tips
- Play A7 then add D# — Lydian Dominant brightness.
- The #11 doesn't clash with the third.
- Tritone sub for Eb7.
- Lydian Dominant scale.
- Blues-jazz applications.
- Practice A7#11 → D resolution.