Mastering the 7#11 Chord: A Comprehensive Guide

The 7#11 chord, also known as the dominant seventh sharp eleven, is a rich and colorful extended chord that adds harmonic tension and sophistication to music. This chord is particularly prevalent in jazz, fusion, and contemporary styles, offering a unique blend of dissonance and resolution.

Definition and Explanation

Musical Examples

Here are practical musical examples to demonstrate the concepts:

The 7#11 chord is built by adding a sharp eleventh (also known as a sharp fourth) to a dominant seventh chord. The basic formula is:

• Root
• Major third
• Perfect fifth
• Minor seventh
• Sharp eleventh (#11)

For example, a G7#11 chord would consist of the notes G (root), B (major third), D (perfect fifth), F (minor seventh), and C# (sharp eleventh).

Historical Context and Musical Significance

The 7#11 chord emerged prominently in 20th-century jazz, particularly in the works of composers like Duke Ellington and arrangers like Gil Evans. Its distinctive sound comes from the tension between the major third and the sharp eleventh, creating a Lydian dominant flavor.

Technical Construction

Interval Structure

• Root (1)
• Major third (3)
• Perfect fifth (5)
• Minor seventh (b7)
• Sharp eleventh (#11)

Chord Formula

1 - 3 - 5 - b7 - #11

Common Voicings

On piano: Root in left hand, 3-7-#11 in right hand (e.g., G7#11: LH-G, RH-B-F-C#)

On guitar: Often played as a rootless voicing (e.g., x-5-4-5-4-x for G7#11)

Practical Applications

Jazz Usage

The 7#11 chord frequently appears in jazz as a dominant chord resolving down a fifth (e.g., G7#11 → Cmaj7). It's particularly effective when the #11 resolves down to the third of the tonic chord.

Rock and Pop Usage

In rock and pop, the 7#11 adds color to dominant chords, often used in modal interchange situations or as a passing chord.

Progressive Exercises

Level 1: Identification

Play and identify 7#11 chords in different keys

Level 2: Voice Leading

Practice resolving 7#11 chords to their tonic in various inversions

Level 3: Improvisation

Improvise over 7#11 chords using Lydian dominant scale (1-2-3-#4-5-6-b7)

Common Progressions

1. ii - V7#11 - I (e.g., Dm7 - G7#11 - Cmaj7)

2. I - IV7#11 - I (blues variation)

3. iii - VI7#11 - ii - V7#11 - I (jazz turnaround)

Notable Examples

"Stella by Starlight" - The bridge features several 7#11 chords

"Maiden Voyage" - Herbie Hancock uses 7#11 chords modally

Steely Dan's "Aja" - Contains sophisticated 7#11 usage