Dbmaj7#5

Q: What notes are in the Dbmaj7#5 chord?

The Dbmaj7#5 chord (Db Major 7#5) contains: Db, F, A, C. Its interval structure is shown above in the Theory section.

Q: How do I build Dbmaj7#5 on the keyboard?

Take the root and add the remaining chord tones following the interval formula. The highlight shows chord content, while the inversion control changes which chord tone is in the bass.

Q: Which keys is Dbmaj7#5 found in?

The chord acts as a diatonic degree in several keys — they are marked on the circle of fifths in the "Harmonic context" block.

Q: What can I substitute for Dbmaj7#5?

A substitution depends on harmonic function and voice leading, not only on shared tones. Computed options appear in the "Substitutions" block and should be checked in context.

Db Major 7#5

Octaves

Musical context

ChordDbaugTriad

ChordDbmaj7#5Db Major 7#5

ArpeggioDb majorBroken triad

ScaleDb major7 notes

KeyDb majorMajor key

ProgressionPop axisSequence

How the chord relates to the scale, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Full name: Db Major 7#5
Symbol: Dbmaj7#5
Root: Db
Quality: Major 7#5

Chord notes

1Dbroot

3Fmajor 3rd

#5Aaug 5th

7Cmajor 7th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension: Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions: DbDb Major GbGb Major
Unstable degrees: #5A
6Bb
resolves up to the 6th
7C
1Db
resolves up to the root
Main resolution: Dbmaj7#5source
DbDb Major
Augmented Dbaug has a raised 5th. As a dominant it resolves up a 4th — the raised 5th rising a semitone. Returning to the major of the same root, it instead falls back to a perfect 5th.
Other resolutions: Dbmaj7#5source
Deceptive resolution
DbmDb Minor
An augmented chord can resolve to the minor chord of the same root: the raised 5th falls to a perfect 5th and the major 3rd lowers to a minor 3rd.
Dbmaj7#5source
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
Dbmaj7#5source
Jazz reharmonization
GbGb Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
Dbmaj7#5source
Functional resolution
FF Major
Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.

Features

Character: Major, with major 7th and augmented 5th
Characteristic interval: Augmented 5th (#5), Major 7th (M7)
Description: The augmented 5th destabilises the major triad, while the major 7th adds a semitone tendency toward the octave. The chord is tenser than a regular maj7.
Application: III degree of harmonic minor
Jazz ballads
Chromatic voice leading

Voicing & structure

Root position

v1Db(Db4)Bass

root

v2F(F4)M3from Db

v3A(A4)M3from F

v4C(C5)m3from A

Harmony

Compatible scales

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

ScaleC# Augmented scale ScaleF Augmented scale ScaleA Augmented scale ScaleC Neapolitan major ScaleC# Double harmonic ScaleC# Persian scale ScaleC# Byzantine ScaleC# Enigmatic scale ScaleC# Lydian augmented ScaleC# Harmonic major

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how Dbmaj7#5 looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

Relative key: BbmBb minor
Dominant: AbAb major
Subdominant: F#F# major
Key signature: 5 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)

What to learn next

ScaleC# Chromatic scaleScale to improvise over this chord PracticeChord trainerLock the fingering into muscle memory ProgressionChord progressionsHow this chord works inside real progressions

Recommended for you

C# Chromatic scaleA scale related to this chord

C# Persian scaleA scale related to this chord

C# ByzantineA scale related to this chord

C# Enigmatic scaleA scale related to this chord

C# Augmented scaleA scale related to this chord

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

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Test yourself

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What notes are in the Dbmaj7#5 chord?

How do I build Dbmaj7#5 on the keyboard?

Which keys is Dbmaj7#5 found in?

What can I substitute for Dbmaj7#5?