A Dominant Eleventh (A11) chords on guitar
Welcome to our tutorial on the A 11 chord, a complex and interesting chord that belongs to the Dominant Chords family. This chord is composed of the notes A, C#, E, G, B, and D, and is built using the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7, 9, and 11. These intervals, also known as the root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh, give the A 11 chord its unique sound.
To fully understand the construction of the A 11 chord, it's important to have a solid grasp of fretboard intervals and how they affect the sound and structure of a chord. You might also want to check out our tutorial on chord notation to better understand how chords are denoted based on the intervals that compose them.
As a member of the Dominant Chords family, the A 11 chord shares characteristics with other dominant chords, which are often used in jazz and blues music for their rich, complex sound. Our tutorial on dominant guitar chords provides more information on these types of chords and how they are used in music.
Learning to play the A 11 chord can be a challenge, but with practice and the right guidance, you'll be able to master it in no time. In this tutorial, we'll provide chord diagrams and fretboard patterns to help you visualize and understand the tones that make up this chord. If you're ready to take your guitar playing to the next level, let's dive into the world of the A 11 chord!
Notes of the A 11 chord:
Chord structure of the Dominant Eleventh chord:
Guitar Patterns for the A Dominant Eleventh chord
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Open
Position 2
Barre
Open
Position 3
Barre
Open
You can find more shapes in our all guitar chords online library. If you
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FAQ
What specific notes are included in the A11 guitar chord?
The A11 chord is built from six distinct notes: A, C#, E, G, B, and D. These notes are derived by extending the basic A major triad with additional intervals.
What do the intervals 1, 3, 5, b7, 9, and 11 represent for the A11 chord?
These numbers describe the harmonic structure of the A11 chord relative to its root note (A). They represent the root (A), major third (C#), perfect fifth (E), minor seventh (G), major ninth (B), and perfect eleventh (D), respectively.
Why is the A11 chord categorized as a 'dominant chord'?
The A11 chord belongs to the dominant chord family because it contains a minor seventh interval (G, relative to the root A). This characteristic minor seventh gives dominant chords their unique, often tension-creating sound, commonly utilized in jazz and blues.
What contributes to the unique and complex sound of the A11 chord?
The A11 chord's distinct and complex sound arises from the combination of its specific intervals, particularly the inclusion of the minor seventh (b7), major ninth (9), and perfect eleventh (11). These extensions add richness and harmonic depth beyond a basic triad.
Is the A11 chord generally difficult for guitarists to play?
Learning to play the A11 chord can present a challenge due to the requirement of accurately fretting six different notes. However, with dedicated practice and the aid of chord diagrams and fretboard patterns, guitarists can successfully master it.