Scale degrees · B♭ major
The ♯11 of B♭ is E
The ♯11 (sharp eleven, written #11) of B♭ (B flat, Bb) is E: an augmented eleventh above the root.
B♭ — the root, 1E — the ♯11
How to find it
An 11th is a 4th an octave up, so it takes the 4th's letter: B, C, D, E.
Then the sound: an augmented eleventh is 18 semitones above B♭, which is exactly where E is — no sharp or flat needed.
Where you meet it
The ♯11 is the Lydian tension: the bright, open colour of maj7♯11 and of the Lydian dominant 7♯11.
In B♭maj7♯11:
B♭ · D · F · A · E
The ♯11 in every key
| Key | The ♯11 |
|---|---|
| C | F♯ |
| G | C♯ |
| D | G♯ |
| A | D♯ |
| E | A♯ |
| B | E♯ |
| F♯ | B♯ |
| D♭ | G |
| A♭ | D |
| E♭ | A |
| B♭ | E |
| F | B |
Every degree of B♭
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