Chord Shapes

Major 11th

Intervals (theoretical): 1-3-5-7-9-11. In practice, the 3rd or 11th is often omitted to avoid the strong semitone clash between them. With the 3rd removed, a maj11 voicing behaves more like a sus4 or “IV over I” structure (for example G/C implying Cmaj9(11)). This makes it more of a special colour than a go-to major tonic sound. It suits modal backgrounds, film scoring and modern jazz composition where controlled dissonance is held for several beats. Think of it as a dense major sonority that blurs the line between triadic and quartal harmony.