C♯7♯5
C# Dominant 7th Sharp 5 — the augmented dominant — the raised fifth leans hard into the resolution a fifth below.
The keys
C♯ – E♯ – A – B
What's inside C♯7♯5
| Note | Interval from root | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♯ | Root | 1 |
| E♯ | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A (spelled G♯♯) | Augmented 5th | #5 |
| B | Minor 7th | b7 |
Inversions
| Position | Keys (low → high) |
|---|---|
| Root position | D♭4 – F4 – A4 – B4 |
| 1st inversion | F4 – A4 – B4 – D♭5 |
| 2nd inversion | A4 – B4 – D♭5 – F5 |
| 3rd inversion | B4 – D♭5 – F5 – A5 |
A working voicing
Split the chord between two hands the way working players do — a solid shell low down, the colour tones up top:
| Hand | Keys |
|---|---|
| Left (shell) | D♭2 – B2 |
| Right (colour) | F4 – A4 |
Where C♯7♯5 lives
Hard resolution
C♯7♯5 → G♭m9
Altered dominants resolve with maximum drama — especially into minor.
Chromatic approach
A♭m7 → C♯7♯5 → G♭
The alteration sharpens the pull of the standard two-five.
Put C♯7♯5 under your fingers
Hear every voicing, see the keys light up, and drill it in the interactive Chord & Voicing Lab.
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