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B♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11

Also known as A♯ Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Same keys, different spelling.
Open A♯ Dominant 7th Sharp 11Same chord, spelled with sharpsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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B♭7♯11
B♭ – D – E – F – A♭
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7

Introduction

Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord, root position — Bb, D, F, Ab, E
The Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes Bb, D, F, Ab, E.

The B♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord is a five-note chord made up of B♭, D, E, F, and A♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.

Notes

Notes:B♭ – D – E – F – A♭

Key Signature

The key of Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 2 flats.

B♭E♭

Order of flats

Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.

BEADGCF

Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father

Chords in the Key of B♭ Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the B♭ major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
IB♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IB♭ MajorMajor
2iiC MinorMinor
3iiiD MinorMinor
4IVE♭ MajorMajor
5VF MajorMajor
6viG MinorMinor
7vii°A DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A4-P5-m7

The B♭ 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.

B♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Bb7#11 contains: Bb, D, E, F, Ab. Lydian Dominant sound.
How does Bb7#11 differ from Bb7?
Adds E (the #11).
How does Bb7#11 differ from Bb11?
Bb11 has Eb (clashes with D). Bb7#11 has E which doesn't clash.
How is Bb7#11 used?
Lydian Dominant. Jazz. Tritone sub for E7. Common as V7#11 in Eb Major.
What scale matches Bb7#11?
Bb Lydian Dominant: Bb, C, D, E, F, G, Ab — 4th mode of F melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz. Bb7#11 is one of the most common 7#11 chords in jazz.

Practice Tips

  • Play Bb7 then add E — Lydian Dominant brightness.
  • Bb7#11 is one of the most common 7#11 chords in jazz.
  • The #11 (E) doesn't clash with the third (D).
  • Tritone sub for E7.
  • Lydian Dominant scale: Bb–C–D–E–F–G–Ab.
  • Practice Bb7#11 → Eb resolution.

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