A Major 11th Chord

Formula R – 9 – 3 – 11 – 5 – 7

A Major 11th is built from the notes A, B, C♯, D, E, G♯. The interval from A to B is a major 2nd (2 semitones), from A to C♯ is a major 3rd (4 semitones), from A to D is a perfect 4th (5 semitones), from A to E is a perfect 5th (7 semitones), from A to G♯ is a major 7th (11 semitones). This chord contains 2 sharped notes.

The major 11th is tricky territory — the perfect 11th clashes harshly with the major 3rd. In practice, it's usually played with the 3rd removed, or the 11th is raised to ♯11 (which becomes a different chord). It's more of an atmospheric texture than a standard functional chord.

The theoretical formula is R, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, but the 11th sits a minor 9th above the 3rd — one of the most dissonant intervals. In standard harmony, the natural 11th is treated as an "avoid note" on major chords. When guitarists or arrangers want an 11th on a major chord, they almost always raise it to ♯11 (Lydian sound) or omit the 3rd entirely.

If you play this chord, you're likely either omitting the 3rd (making it a stack of 4ths) or using it as a brief passing voicing. The shape works in modal and ambient contexts where conventional rules are relaxed. Think of it as a texture rather than a functional chord.

A·RB·9D·11E·5C♯·3G♯·7
𝄞A (R)B (9)C♯ (3)D (11)E (5)G♯ (7)A (R)B (9)C♯ (3)D (11)E (5)G♯ (7)
Modal jazzAmbientProgressive rock

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