E Major Sixth Sharp Eleventh Added Guitar Chord Charts & Variations
Welcome to our guitar lessons blog! Today, we will be diving into the world of the E 6(#11) chord. This chord belongs to the major chords family and is composed of the following notes: E, G#, B, C#, and A#. Its structure is built upon the following intervals: 1 (Root), 3 (Major Third), 5 (Perfect Fifth), 6 (Major Sixth), and #11 (Augmented Fourth).
The E 6(#11) chord is a rich and complex chord that offers a unique sound. It's a fantastic chord to add to your repertoire, particularly if you're looking to expand your knowledge beyond basic major and minor chords. If you're new to the concept of chord construction, you might find our tutorial on building chords by stacking intervals particularly helpful.
As part of the sixth chords family, the E 6(#11) chord shares some similarities with other sixth guitar chords. However, the addition of the #11 interval gives it a distinctive touch. To understand more about how intervals shape the character of a chord, check out our tutorial about fretboard intervals.
Learning to play the E 6(#11) chord involves mastering its chord diagrams and fretboard patterns. As you progress through this tutorial, you'll learn how to position your fingers to play this chord and how its tones are distributed across the fretboard. If you're unsure about how to read chord diagrams or denote chords, our tutorial on chord notation will be a great resource.
Mastering the E 6(#11) chord can open up new possibilities in your playing, particularly in genres such as jazz that frequently use more advanced chords. To explore more advanced chords, you can visit our tutorial about intermediate guitar chords.
So, are you ready to dive into the fascinating world of the E 6(#11) chord? Let's get started!
Notes in the E 6(#11) chord:
Tones in the Major Sixth Sharp Eleventh Added chord:
E Major Sixth Sharp Eleventh Added Guitar Chord Voicings
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What notes and intervals make up the E 6(#11) chord?
The E 6(#11) chord is comprised of five distinct notes: E, G#, B, C#, and A#. These notes correspond to its structural intervals: the Root (E), Major Third (G#), Perfect Fifth (B), Major Sixth (C#), and the Augmented Fourth (A#), which is typically notated as a #11.
How does the E 6(#11) chord differ from a standard E major chord or other sixth chords?
While the E 6(#11) chord shares the root, major third, perfect fifth, and major sixth with a standard E major 6 chord, its defining characteristic is the addition of the #11 (augmented fourth) interval. This specific interval provides a unique, rich, and complex sound that distinguishes it from simpler major chords and other sixth chords in the family.
Why is the #11 interval also referred to as an Augmented Fourth in the E 6(#11) chord?
The #11 interval is equivalent in pitch to an augmented fourth. Music theory often uses both interval names depending on context. '#11' emphasizes its role as an extended chord tone (an eleventh that has been raised), while 'augmented fourth' describes its specific quality and relationship to the root within an octave. On the fretboard, they represent the same note.
When should I consider using the E 6(#11) chord in my guitar playing?
The E 6(#11) chord is an excellent choice when you want to introduce more sophisticated and colorful harmonies into your music. Its rich and complex sound makes it particularly well-suited for genres like jazz, where advanced chord voicings are common, but it can also add a unique flavor to other styles beyond basic major and minor progressions.
What makes the E 6(#11) chord sound 'rich and complex'?
The 'rich and complex' quality of the E 6(#11) chord stems from the specific combination of its intervals. The presence of both the major sixth and, especially, the augmented fourth (#11) alongside the foundational major triad (root, major third, perfect fifth) creates unique harmonic tension and color. These extended tones add depth and a distinctive flavor to the overall sound.