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D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11

Also known as C♯ Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Same keys, different spelling.
Open C♯ Dominant 7th Sharp 11Same chord, spelled with sharpsWhat are enharmonics? →Why one chord has two names
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Listen plays the chord. Play Along lights up each note in order so you can follow.

D♭7♯11
D♭ – F – G – A♭ – C♭
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7

Introduction

Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord, root position — Db, F, Ab, B, G
The Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes Db, F, Ab, B, G.

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

Notes

Notes:D♭ – F – G – A♭ – C♭

Key Signature

The key of Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 5 flats.

B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭

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 D♭ Major

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

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
ID♭ Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1ID♭ MajorMajor
2iiE♭ MinorMinor
3iiiF MinorMinor
4IVG♭ MajorMajor
5VA♭ MajorMajor
6viB♭ MinorMinor
7vii°C DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

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

The D♭ 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.

D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord?
Db7#11 contains: Db (root), F (major third), G (sharp 11th), Ab (perfect fifth), Cb (minor seventh). Lydian Dominant sound.
How does Db7#11 differ from Db7?
Adds G (the #11). Brighter and more complex than standard Db7.
How does Db7#11 differ from Db11?
Db11 has natural 11th (Gb) which clashes with the third. Db7#11 has G which sits comfortably.
How is Db7#11 used in music?
Lydian Dominant chord. Jazz tritone substitution. Db7#11 is the tritone sub for G7.
What scale matches Db7#11?
Db Lydian Dominant: Db, Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, Cb — 4th mode of Ab melodic minor.
What songs use 7#11?
Modern jazz. Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea.

Practice Tips

  • Play Db7 then add G — hear the Lydian Dominant brightness.
  • The #11 (G) doesn't clash with the third (F).
  • Db7#11 is the classic tritone sub for G7 — practice this substitution.
  • Lydian Dominant scale: Db–Eb–F–G–Ab–Bb–Cb.
  • Sophisticated substitute for any Db7.
  • Voicing: F–Cb on left, G–Db on right.

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