Chord & FretDmaj9(#11) — major ninth sharp eleventh
Notes in Dmaj9(#11): D – F# – A – C# – E – G#Formula: 1 – 3 – 5 – 7 – 9 – #11In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
Take a maj9 and add one unexpected note — an F# over a C chord — and the sound takes on the floating shine of a film score. That color has a name: lydian. The note is raised on purpose, because the plain eleventh would rub against the major third in a semitone clash.
The same chord on all four instruments
Where to use it: Dreamy by nature, it opens or closes film-like ballads and modern jazz pieces. It is worth trying in place of a final maj7 when you want the music to end hanging in the air.
This is just one shape of Dmaj9(#11). In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; open every variation on the neck, grouped by bass note; and set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.
See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →Part of the Extended family.