I agree with your pianist.

Try a simple Maj7alt or Maj7b5 if that #11 is all-important to get the point across fast and clean. Any player would realize all too soon that the flatted fifth should be in open and not closed voicing. Well, almost any player.

Fake chords are designed to be a shorthand method. If you want to get really exact, consider writing out the piano grand staff for the poor guy. And then be prepared for even more complaints.


--Mac