A Dominant 11th
Hear the A Dominant 11th chord played for you.
A11
A – C♯ – E – G – B – D
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9-11
Introduction
The A Dominant 11th chord is a six-note chord made up of A, C♯, E, G, B, and D. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh.
The A Dominant 11th piano chord (A11) consists of the notes A, C#, E, G, B, D. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9-11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of A Dominant 11th has 3 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
The A Dominant 11th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A Dominant 11th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A Dominant 11th chord?
The A Dominant 11th chord (A11) contains 6 notes: A, C#, E, G, B, D. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11.
How is A11 used in music?
A11 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for A11?
A11 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9-11, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
- Start by placing your thumb on A and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
- Practice A11 slowly with separate hands before combining.
- Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
- Try voicing A11 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
- Resolve A11 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.