The C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord is a five-note chord made up of C♭, E♭, F, G♭, and B♭♭. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fourth, perfect fifth, and minor seventh.
Construction
C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = C♭ · E♭ · F · G♭ · B♭♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ | Root | 1 |
| E♭ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| F | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| G♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
Key Signature
A dominant chord points home to the key a fifth below its root: the C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is the V (dominant) of E Major, so the relevant key signature is that key’s — 4 sharps (F♯, C♯, G♯, D♯). Spelled as a scale, these notes are Cb Mixolydian.
F♯C♯G♯D♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of E Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord on piano?
The C♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord contains the notes C♭ – E♭ – F – G♭ – B♭♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Cb Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Cb7#11 is the enharmonic equivalent of B7#11. Same notes.
How does Cb7#11 differ from Cb7?
Adds the #11.
How is Cb7#11 used?
Musicians use B7#11 in practice.
What scale matches Cb7#11?
Cb Lydian Dominant (enharmonically B Lydian Dominant).
What songs use 7#11?
Sound identical regardless of spelling.
Do I need both spellings?
Learn B7#11 and understand the enharmonic relationship.