Chord Shapes

Major 7th Sharp 5

Intervals: 1-3-#5-7. A fusion of maj7 and the augmented triad, characteristic of the Lydian augmented mode (3rd mode of melodic minor). The sharpened 5th gives a strong upward drift, while the major 7th keeps the chord smooth rather than overtly dissonant. It commonly functions as a tonic or subdominant in advanced jazz and film-score harmony and can also appear as a colourful passing sonority en route to another major chord. Voicings often focus on 3-#5-7 with added 9 or #11 for extra brilliance.