Guitar chord D9(#11) - diagrams and theory
D9(#11) (D ninth sharp eleven) follows the formula 1, 3, 5, b7, 9, #11, so on D it reads D, F#, A, C, E and G#.
The sharp eleventh, G#, is a tritone above the root. The D Lydian Dominant scale lines up with the chord: it has all six chord tones and adds only a sixth. Its pull toward the next chord is the same one explained in the dominant chord family.
Against a plain dominant ninth the only change is one raised note, the eleventh G#. The ninth, E, stays a whole step above the root.
D 9th with sharp 11th guitar chord is also written as D9(#11), D9#11 or D9+11.
D9(#11) Chord Notes and Formula
Notes in the D 9(#11) chord:
Tones of the Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord:
Formula: 1 3 5 b7 9 #11
D9(#11) Chord Interactive Fretboard
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Chords That Go With D9(#11)
One key where D9(#11) fits is G major, where it works as the V chord, an altered chord whose G# is borrowed from outside the key. These are the main chords of that key, the ones you will often hear around it:
See every key in the guitar keys chart, or build a progression with these chords in the chord progression generator.
More D Chords
Want to know how this chord is built? Read ninth and add9 chords explained, or browse all D guitar chords.
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the notes of D9(#11)?
D9(#11) is spelled D, F#, A, C, E and G#. It stacks a major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, ninth and sharp eleventh over D.
Which scale goes with D9(#11)?
The D Lydian Dominant scale has D, E, F#, G#, A, B and C. It holds every chord tone and adds only B.
Why is the top note of D9(#11) G# and not Ab?
The eleventh is a fourth letter up from D, so it must be named G. The perfect eleventh is G, and raising it by a half step gives G#.
What is the sharp eleventh in D9(#11)?
It is G#. That note sits six semitones from the root D, an augmented fourth, and is stacked one octave higher in the chord.
