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.
Construction
D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 = Root + Major 3rd + Diminished 5th + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th = D♭ · F · G · A♭ · C♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ | Root | 1 |
| F | Major 3rd | 3 |
| G | Diminished 5th | ♭5 |
| A♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| C♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
Key Signature
A dominant chord points home to the key a fifth below its root: the D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 is the V (dominant) of Gb Major, so the relevant key signature is that key’s — 6 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭, C♭). Spelled as a scale, these notes are Db Mixolydian.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭
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.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of G♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of the G♭ major scale:
D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 — Frequently Asked Questions
What is the D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord on piano?
The D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11 chord contains the notes D♭ – F – G – A♭ – C♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
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.