Abmaj7#11

General info

Full name

Ab Major 7#11

Symbol

Abmaj7#11

Root

Ab

Quality

Major 7#11

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Typical function in key

IVSubdominant (IV)Eb major

Stability / tension

Stable — can serve as major tonic

Most common resolutions

DbDb MajorEbEb MajorFmF Minor

Unstable degrees

7G

1Ab

resolves up to the root

Main resolution

Abmaj7#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

Abmaj7#11source

Deceptive resolution

FmF Minor

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

Abmaj7#11source

Modal resolution

GbGb Major

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

Abmaj7#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).

Abmaj7#11source

Functional resolution

EbEb Major

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

Features

Character

Major, with a major 7th and #11

Characteristic interval

Major 7th (M7), Augmented 11th (#11)

Description

The major 7th preserves maj7 structure, while #11 forms a tritone with the root and avoids the close semitone clash that a perfect 11th creates with the 3rd.

Application

• Lydian tonic
• Modern jazz
• Major pedal-point textures

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Compatible scales

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