C9#11

General info

Full name

C 9#11

Symbol

C9#11

Root

C

Quality

9#11

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension

High tension — requires resolution

Most common resolutions

FF MajorDmD Minor

Unstable degrees

3E

4F

resolves up to the resolution tonic

6A

b7A#

resolves down to the tonic 3rd

#4F#

5G

resolves up to the 5th

Main resolution

C9#11source

FF Major

Dominant 7th C7 naturally resolves up a 4th to F. It is the tritone between the chord's 3rd and 7th that creates this pull.

Other resolutions

C9#11source

Deceptive resolution

DmD Minor

Instead of the tonic, the dominant resolves to the vi degree. Creates surprise and is often used to extend a musical phrase.

C9#11source

Modal resolution

A#A# Major

In rock and blues, the dominant often moves to bVII or IV instead of the tonic, creating a modal flavor.

C9#11source

Jazz reharmonization

F#7F# Dominant 7

Tritone substitution: C7 can be replaced by F#7 (a tritone away). Both chords share the same tritone between the 3rd and 7th, resolving to the same tonic.

C9#11source

Functional resolution

Csus4C Sus4

The dominant can resolve beyond the tonic: moving to IV (subdominant) or to a suspension (sus4) are common alternatives in pop and folk music.

Substitutions

Tritone substitution

F#7F# Dominant 7

Features

Character

Dominant, with 9th and augmented 11th

Characteristic interval

Augmented 11th (#11)

Description

The augmented 11th forms a tritone with the root and avoids the close clash that a perfect 11th creates with the 3rd. The combination of major 3rd, minor 7th, and #11 matches the Lydian dominant scale.

Application

• Lydian harmony
• Jazz and fusion
• Film scoring

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Typical progressions

I-V-vi-IV

C—G—Am—F

Pop

Compatible scales

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