Eleventh chord - piano
The eleventh chord (notated 11) adds a perfect eleventh to the dominant ninth chord. The third is generally omitted to avoid harmonic friction with the eleventh.
Intervals
| Degree | I | V | ♭VII | IX | XI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | Root | Perfect fifth | Minor seventh | Major ninth | Perfect eleventh |
| Semitones | 0 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 |
Formula 1 - (3) - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 11
Theory
The 11 chord is typically played without the major third as it creates dissonance with the eleventh (a semitone). C11 = C-G-B♭-D-F. It's often used as a suspended dominant chord. The fifth and ninth can also be omitted depending on context.
Examples
Example: Do Eleventh
Styles
11 construction
Formula 1 - 3 - 5 - 7b - 9 - 11: full extension. Suspended dominant, blues, funk.
Learning
Funk grooves. Enriched blues. Suspended voicings.
How to play
Often 9sus4 (no 3rd). Blues, funk. Voicings without third or fifth.