C Major ninth sharp eleventh

Major ninth with ♯11 (1–3–5–7–9–♯11); Lydian brightness on major harmony.

majormaj9♯11Δ9♯11^9♯11

The major ninth sharp eleventh chord extends maj9 with a raised eleventh (1-3-5-7-9-♯11). The ♯11 is the same pitch class as ♯4, giving a classic Lydian color: floating, modern, and very common in jazz and contemporary film music on Imaj♯11 or IVmaj♯11 contexts.

Construction

Start from maj9 and add ♯11. In Cmaj9(♯11), ♯11 is F♯.

Usage

Lydian vamps, jazz tonic colors, and pop production for “wide sky” major moods.

Examples

Modal jazz tunes on major or IV chords
Film scoring for wonder and openness
Neo-soul keys parts with quartal upper structure

Play

Keep the major third clear; voice ♯11 high; omit the fifth if needed.

Ear-training cues

Major ninth sound with a Lydian ♯11 sparkle on top.

Which intervals and notes are in the C Major ninth sharp eleventh chord?

Intervals from the root that spell this chord and its chord tones.

Interval	semitones	Note
perfect unison	0	C
major third	4	E
perfect fifth	7	G
major seventh	11	B
major ninth	14	D
augmented undecime	18	F♯

To which mode does C Major ninth sharp eleventh belong?

Parent scales and degrees where this chord appears as a diatonic sonority.

Degree	Triad	Seventh	Extended	Scale
I	M	maj7	maj13 maj9	Major
II	m	m7	m9 m11 m13 m69	Dorian
III	m	m7	m	Phrygian
IV	M	maj7	M13♯11 maj9♯11	Lydian
V	M	7	13 9 7no5	Mixolydian
VI	m	m7	m9 m11 madd9	Minor
VII		m7♭5		Locrian

These modes come from a defined series of intervals! Checkout our blogpost about the major modes!

Which scales can you play on the C Major ninth sharp eleventh chord?

Scales that contain this chord’s notes and usually fit over it.

C Chromatic C Ichikosucho C Lydian C Messiaen's mode sharp third

Practice the major ninth sharp eleventh chord

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