Learn to Play F# / Gb Major 7 #11
Also written: Gb Major 7 #11 — same keys, same sound, two spellings of one chord.
What notes are in f# major 7 #11?
The f# major 7 #11 chord (F#maj7#11) is built from the notes F#, A#, E#, G#, B# — root, major 3rd, major 7th, 9th, ♯11.
F#maj7#11
A major 7 plus a sharp 11th: root, 3rd, 5th, 7, ♯11. The ♯11 (a tritone above the root) would be dissonant low, but voiced high it turns luminous.
How does f# major 7 #11 sound?
Lydian glow — a major 7 with its 4th raised until it sparkles instead of clashing. The sound of wonder, sci-fi skies and Simpsons openings.
The Lydian tonic: IVmaj7♯11 is literally the IV chord displaying its natural ♯4 color. It functions as tonic-with-raised-eyebrows — resolved, but gazing upward.
Where do you use F#maj7#11?
F#maj7♯11 is the Lydian chord: as the IV of Db it's simply showing its natural ♯4 color. Hold it under a melody on the ♯11 and the whole room looks up.
F# sits almost entirely on black keys — it looks intimidating on paper and lies surprisingly well under the hand once you trust the short keys.
Film scoring's "wonder" cue (Williams, Elfman), Joe Satriani's harmonic playground, and jazz reharmonization whenever a maj7 needs to lift off.
How do you finger F#maj7#11 on piano?
Voice it in two layers: left hand root+5th, right hand 3-7-♯11 under 1-3-5 — the ♯11 lands on the pinky at the top where its sparkle belongs.
Five-note grips are often split between the hands or rolled — keep the top note singing.
Tip: the common mistake
Playing the ♯11 as a plain 11 — the perfect 4th against the major 3rd is the one note that genuinely ruins a major chord. Sharp it or omit it.
Reading about F# Major 7 #11 is step one — recognizing it at speed is the game. Chord Rush drills it until your hands know it.
- ⚡Speed
- ◎Accuracy
- ♪Recognition