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C Dominant 11th

Hear the C Dominant 11th chord played for you.

C11
C – E – G – B♭ – D – F
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9-11

Introduction

The C Dominant 11th chord is a six-note chord made up of C, E, G, B♭, D, and F. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh.

The C Dominant 11th piano chord (C11) consists of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, F. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9-11.

Notes

Notes:C – E – G – B♭ – D – F

Key Signature

The key of C Dominant 11th has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.

Chords in the Key of C Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C major scale:

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IC MajorMajor
2iiD MinorMinor
3iiiE MinorMinor
4IVF MajorMajor
5VG MajorMajor
6viA MinorMinor
7vii°B DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11

The C 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.

C Dominant 11th — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C Dominant 11th chord?
The C Dominant 11th chord (C11) contains 6 notes: C, E, G, Bb, D, F. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11.
How is C11 used in music?
C11 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 C11?
C11 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9-11, giving it its distinctive sound.

Practice Tips

  • Start by placing your thumb on C and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
  • Practice C11 slowly with separate hands before combining.
  • Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
  • Try voicing C11 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
  • Resolve C11 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.