A major thirteenth sharp eleventh chord is composed using a root/1st, major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th, major 9th, augmented 11th and major 13th (or R/1-3-5-7-9-♯11-13) intervals played simultaneously. Generally written as CMA13(♯11) or Cmaj13(♯11), it is good practice to simply use an uppercase C, the uppercase letters MA followed by a super scripted 13(♯11) to represent it in writing (ie: CMA13(♯11)).
A major thirteenth sharp eleventh chord is formed due to the dissonance created between the major third and perfect eleventh (perfect fourth) intervals in a major thirteenth chord voiced with an eleventh interval included. Normally, we omit the eleventh from major and dominant thirteenth voicings due to this dissonance, and limitation of six notes on a six string guitar, alternatively we can sharpen the eleventh and remove the fifth or ninth intervals, the major thirteenth sharp eleventh chord is a result of this latter process.
Major thirteenth sharp eleventh chord profile
| Intervals | root/1st, major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th, major 9th, augmented 11th, major 13th or R/1-3-5-7-9-♯11-13 |
|---|---|
| Stability | Somewhat dissonant, unresolved |
| Grouping class | Heptad (commonly played as a Hexad or Tetrad on guitar) |
| Common names (examples in C) | CMA13(♯11), Cmaj13(♯11) |
Chord shapes/voicings
Audio sample(s)
| C Major thirteenth sharp eleventh chord voicing #4 |
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