Ab7#11

General info

Full name

Ab 7#11

Symbol

Ab7#11

Root

Ab

Quality

7#11

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension

Stable — can serve as major tonic

Most common resolutions

DbDb MajorEbEb MajorFmF Minor

Unstable degrees

4Db

b7Gb

resolves down to the resolution tonic

Main resolution

Ab7#11source

EbEb Major

Major chord Ab is a stable tonic. As tonic it doesn't require resolution, but in a progression context typically moves to IV or V.

Other resolutions

Ab7#11source

Deceptive resolution

FmF Minor

As the V degree, a major chord can defy expectations by moving to vi instead of I (deceptive cadence).

Ab7#11source

Modal resolution

GbGb Major

In modal context, a major chord can freely move to bVII, bIII, or bVI — characteristic of Mixolydian mode.

Ab7#11source

Jazz reharmonization

Abmaj7Ab Major 7

In jazz, a major chord is enriched to maj7, 6/9, or add9 and can smoothly transition into a ii-V of another key (modulation).

Ab7#11source

Functional resolution

EbEb Major

As the IV degree (subdominant), a major chord can resolve to V or directly to I (plagal cadence).

Substitutions

Tritone substitution

D7D Dominant 7

Features

Character

Dominant, with an augmented 11th

Characteristic interval

Minor 7th (b7), Augmented 11th (#11)

Description

The minor 7th establishes dominant function, while #11 adds a tritone against the root. The set 1–3–b7–#11 fits a Lydian dominant context.

Application

• Lydian dominant
• Tritone substitution
• Jazz voice leading

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.