D♭ Dominant 7th Sharp 11
Notes:D♭ – F – A♭ – B – G
Formula:R-M3-A4-P5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A4-P5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#4-5-b7
Introduction
The Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 piano chord (Db7\u266f11) consists of the notes Db, F, G, Ab, B. 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: D♭ is enharmonically equivalent to C♯. See C# Dominant 7th Sharp 11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Db Dominant 7th Sharp 11 has 5 flats: B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭
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.