Abmaj7#11: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Abmaj7#11 (Maj7#11) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 3 5 7 #11. A major 7th with a sharp 11th. A bright, lifted Lydian sound — a favorite of film music.

Chord tones

The #11 doesn't clash with the 3rd and adds Lydian light. The 9th is usually added too: 3, 7, 9, #11.

Sound character

Bright, airy and lifted — the Lydian color of film music and modern jazz.

Harmonic function

A tonic or subdominant with a Lydian shading. Stable but lifted.

Typical progressions

  • Abmaj7#11 (Lydian tonic)
  • Bbm7 – Eb7 – Abmaj7#11
  • Dbmaj7#11 – Abmaj7

Guitar voicing advice

Don't play a natural 11th — only the #11. Keep 3rd and 7th close, with 9 and #11 on top. Drop the perfect 5th.

Compatible scales for Abmaj7#11

Open interactive scale pages that naturally pair with this chord.

Other chord qualities on the Ab root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.