B♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Notes:B♭ – D – F – A♭ – E
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7
Introduction
The Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (Bb7\u266f11) consists of the notes Bb, D, E, F, Ab. 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: B♭ is enharmonically equivalent to A♯. See A# Dominant 7th Sharp 11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Bb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 2 flats: B♭, E♭.
B♭E♭
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.