Explore and Play the E7#11 Guitar Chord
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The E7(#11) chord, also read as E seventh sharp eleven, is spelled E, G#, B, D and A#: a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, a minor seventh and a sharp eleventh. What sets the lydian dominant scale apart from mixolydian is its raised fourth, which the chord carries as the raised eleventh.
Two voicings in total, from fret 7 to fret 11, and one of them is a barre shape. When you improvise over this chord, try the E Lydian Dominant scale, the fourth mode of the melodic minor scale, which covers all five chord tones. Moving into it from a simpler chord is quicker with smoother chord changes.
Pick a tempo for the drum loop in the tool at the top of the page and repeat the chord in time.
E 7th with sharp 11th guitar chord is also written as E7(#11), E7#11 or E7+11.
Notes of the E 7(#11) chord:
Chord structure of the Dominant Seventh Sharp Eleventh Added chord:
Formula: 1 3 5 b7 #11
E 7(#11) Guitar Chord Diagrams
Position 1 Barre Movable
Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the B string
- Mute the high E string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 7 of the A and G strings at the same time
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 8 of the D string
Position 2 Movable
Finger Positions
- Mute the low E string
- Mute the A string
- Mute the D string
- Place your index finger (1) on the fret 9 of the G string
- Place your middle finger (2) on the fret 10 of the high E string
- Place your ring finger (3) on the fret 11 of the B string
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What notes make up E7(#11)?
E, G#, B, D and A#. The first four form an E seventh chord, and A# is the sharp eleventh, which sounds like Bb.
Why is the sharp eleventh in E7(#11) written A# and not Bb?
The eleventh higher than E takes the letter A, so raising it by a half step gives A#. Bb would sound the same but name a diminished fifth instead.
Which scale fits E7(#11)?
The E Lydian Dominant scale, spelled E, F#, G#, A#, B, C# and D, contains all five chord tones. It is the fourth mode of B melodic minor.
How many voicings are listed for the E seventh sharp eleven chord?
Two voicings are listed, from the seventh fret to the eleventh fret. One of them is a barre voicing, and none uses open strings.
Where does E7(#11) tend to resolve?
A dominant seventh tends to resolve up a fourth, so E7(#11) leads to A. The raised eleventh adds colour to that move.
