The major seventh sharp ninth sharp eleventh chord stacks maj7 with two strongly altered extensions: ♯9 and ♯11 (1-3-5-7-♯9-♯11 as a conceptual set). It is not a everyday diatonic chord; it behaves like a composed polychord color or a modern jazz voicing choice on major pedals (sometimes related to split-scale or hybrid-scale thinking). Expect a bright, biting, chromatic surface—excellent for short dramatic moments when a plain maj7 is too tame.
Construction
Begin from maj7 and add ♯9 and ♯11 above the bass. Exact voicing determines which intervals listeners notice first.
Usage
Film scoring, modern jazz reharmonizations, and experimental pop production on static major centers.
Examples
- Climax chords in cinematic cues
- Modern jazz voicings on Imaj7 with Lydian/altered upper structures
- Keyboard pads that need maximum chromatic tension
Play
Thin the voicing; separate ♯9 and ♯11 registrally; omit the fifth if needed.
Ear-training cues
Major seventh stability with chromatic upper extensions that create sharp, modern dissonance.
