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CMaj7#11

Description

The major 7 #11 is similar to a standard major 7, but has a #11 (the same as a #4) added near the top of the voicing. It may also have a 9 or 13 added

Standard scale choice

To play over this chord, use a major scale with a sharpened fourth degree -- i.e. a lydian mode: 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7

Hip options

This chord/scale choice sounds pretty hip already. It's a big hit with people like Joe Satriani (think Always with Me, Always with You). Some other hip options are:

• Play lines built on the maj7 arpeggio built on the 5th of the chord; or
• Add the b6 as a passing note between the 5th and 6th, to give an octatonic (8-note) lydian bebop scale; or
• Use the minor pentatonic built on the note a semitone below the root of the chord. Nice

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