C Dominant 7th Sharp 11
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C7♯11
C – E – F♯ – G – B♭
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7
Introduction
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.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of C Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.
Chords in the Key of C Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
The C 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.
C Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
C7#11 contains five notes: C (root), E (major third), F# (sharp 11th/augmented 4th), G (perfect fifth), Bb (minor seventh). It is a dominant 7th with a raised 11th — the Lydian Dominant sound.
How does C7#11 differ from C7?
C7#11 adds F# (the #11). This tritone between C and F# creates the distinctive Lydian Dominant colour — brighter and more complex than a standard dominant 7th.
How does C7#11 differ from C11?
C11 has a natural 11th (F) which clashes with the third. C7#11 has F# which does not clash — it sits comfortably alongside the major third (E). This is why jazz musicians prefer #11 over natural 11.
How is C7#11 used in music?
C7#11 is the signature chord of the Lydian Dominant scale (4th mode of melodic minor). It appears in jazz as an enriched dominant, often as a tritone substitution. It adds sophistication to any dominant V chord.
What songs use 7#11 chords?
7#11 chords appear throughout modern jazz. Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, and McCoy Tyner use Lydian Dominant voicings. The sound defines sophisticated jazz harmony.
What scale matches C7#11?
The Lydian Dominant scale (C, D, E, F#, G, A, Bb) — the 4th mode of G melodic minor. It is Mixolydian with a raised 4th, combining the dominant 7th function with Lydian brightness.
Practice Tips
- Play C7 then add F# — hear the Lydian Dominant brightness.
- The #11 (F#) does not clash with the third (E) — unlike the natural 11 (F). This is why jazz prefers #11.
- C7#11 is the Lydian Dominant sound — practice the scale C–D–E–F#–G–A–Bb over this chord.
- Use C7#11 as a sophisticated substitute for any C7.
- Practice C7#11 → F as an enriched V–I resolution.
- Voicing tip: play E–Bb on the left, F#–C on the right for a classic jazz spread.
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