Skip to content

G Dominant 11th

Hear the G Dominant 11th chord played for you.

G11
G – B – D – F – A – C
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9-11

Introduction

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

The G Dominant 11th piano chord (G11) consists of the notes G, B, D, F, A, C. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9-11.

Notes

Notes:G – B – D – F – A – C

Key Signature

The key of G Dominant 11th has 1 sharp.

F♯

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 G Major

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

C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — G Major (major)
DegreeNumeralChordQuality
1IG MajorMajor
2iiA MinorMinor
3iiiB MinorMinor
4IVC MajorMajor
5VD MajorMajor
6viE MinorMinor
7vii°F♯ DiminishedDiminished

Theory: Intervals

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

The G 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.

G Dominant 11th — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the G Dominant 11th chord?
The G Dominant 11th chord (G11) contains 6 notes: G, B, D, F, A, C. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11.
How is G11 used in music?
G11 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 G11?
G11 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9-11, giving it its distinctive sound.

Practice Tips

  • Start by placing your thumb on G and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
  • Practice G11 slowly with separate hands before combining.
  • Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
  • Try voicing G11 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
  • Resolve G11 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.