C Major 11th
Hear the C Major 11th chord played for you.
Cmaj11
C – E – G – B – D – F
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9-11
Introduction
The C Major 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, major seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh.
The C Major 11th piano chord (Cmaj11) consists of the notes C, E, G, B, D, F. It is a major 9th chord with an added perfect 11th, giving it a bright, expansive character with a dreamy quality found in jazz and contemporary classical music. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7-9-11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of C Major 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)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
The C Major 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 Major 11th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Major 11th chord?
The C Major 11th chord (Cmaj11) contains six notes: C, E, G, B, D, F. It is Cmaj9 with an added perfect eleventh. Like dominant 11ths, the third (E) and eleventh (F) clash, so the third is often omitted.
How does Cmaj11 differ from C11?
Cmaj11 has a major seventh (B). C11 has a minor seventh (Bb). Cmaj11 is dreamy and expansive; C11 is dominant and functional.
How does Cmaj11 differ from Cmaj9?
Cmaj11 adds the eleventh (F) to Cmaj9. The eleventh adds an open, expansive quality but clashes with the third.
How is Cmaj11 used in music?
Cmaj11 appears in contemporary jazz, film scoring, and ambient music. It is a complex tonic chord that sounds expansive and dreamy. Often voiced without the third for clarity.
What songs use Major 11th chords?
Major 11th chords appear in film scores, contemporary jazz, and ambient music. Pat Metheny, Bill Evans, and modern jazz pianists use maj11 for atmospheric, expansive tonic sounds.
Do I need to play all six notes?
No — drop the third to avoid the E–F clash. Practical voicing: C–G–B–D–F or C–B–D–F.
Practice Tips
- Drop the third: C–B–D–F avoids the E–F clash and sounds open and expansive.
- Compare Cmaj11 with C11 — major vs minor seventh creates completely different moods.
- Cmaj11 has a cinematic, expansive quality — try sustaining it with pedal for an atmospheric wash.
- Practice Cmaj11 as a rich tonic: it sounds more complex than Cmaj9.
- The voicing C–G–B–D–F spread across two hands is the most practical approach.
- Cmaj11 works beautifully in ambient and film scoring contexts.
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.