D#maj7#5

Q: What notes are in the D#maj7#5 chord?

The D#maj7#5 chord (D# Major 7#5) contains: D#, G, B, D. Its interval structure is shown above in the Theory section.

Q: How do I build D#maj7#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 D#maj7#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 D#maj7#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.

D# Major 7#5

Octaves

Musical context

ChordD#augTriad

ChordD#maj7#5D# Major 7#5

ArpeggioD# majorBroken triad

ScaleD# major7 notes

KeyD# majorMajor key

ProgressionPop axisSequence

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

Theory

General info

Full name: D# Major 7#5
Symbol: D#maj7#5
Root: D#
Quality: Major 7#5

Chord notes

1D#root

3Gmajor 3rd

#5Baug 5th

7Dmajor 7th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension: Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions: D#D# Major G#G# Major
Unstable degrees: #5B
6C
resolves up to the 6th
7D
1D#
resolves up to the root
Main resolution: D#maj7#5source
D#D# Major
Augmented D#aug 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: D#maj7#5source
Deceptive resolution
D#mD# 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.
D#maj7#5source
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
D#maj7#5source
Jazz reharmonization
G#G# Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
D#maj7#5source
Functional resolution
GG 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

v1D#(D#4)Bass

root

v2G(G4)M3from D#

v3B(B4)M3from G

v4D(D5)m3from B

Harmony

Compatible scales

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

ScaleD# Augmented scale ScaleG Augmented scale ScaleB Augmented scale ScaleD Neapolitan major ScaleD# Double harmonic ScaleD# Persian scale ScaleD# Byzantine ScaleD# Enigmatic scale ScaleD# Lydian augmented ScaleD# Harmonic major

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how D#maj7#5 looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

Relative key: CmC minor
Dominant: BbBb major
Subdominant: AbAb major
Key signature: 3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

What to learn next

ScaleEb 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

Eb Chromatic scaleA scale related to this chord

Eb Persian scaleA scale related to this chord

Eb ByzantineA scale related to this chord

Eb Enigmatic scaleA scale related to this chord

Eb 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 D#maj7#5 chord?

How do I build D#maj7#5 on the keyboard?

Which keys is D#maj7#5 found in?

What can I substitute for D#maj7#5?