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G Major 11th

Reviewed for accuracy · Last updated June 2026 · Maintained by Justin Evans

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Gmaj11
G – B – D – F♯ – A – C
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9-11

Practice G Major 11th

Reading about it is one thing. Drilling it is what makes it automatic.

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Introduction

G Major 11th piano chord, root position — G, B, D, F#, A, C
The G Major 11th chord in root position on a piano keyboard, notes G, B, D, F#, A, C.

The G Major 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, major seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh.

Notes

Notes:G – B – D – F♯ – A – C

Key Signature

A chord has no key signature of its own, but the G Major 11th is the tonic (I) chord of G Major, whose key signature has 1 sharp (F♯).

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 triads built on each degree of the G major scale:

C1C2C3C4GBC5DC6C7C8
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 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.

G Major 11th — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the G Major 11th chord on piano?
The G Major 11th chord contains the notes G – B – D – F♯ – A – C. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the G Major 11th chord?
Practical voicing drops the third: G–D–F#–A–C. The third (B) and eleventh (C) clash.
How does Gmaj11 differ from G11?
Gmaj11 has major seventh (F#). G11 has minor seventh (F).
How is Gmaj11 used in music?
Contemporary jazz, film scoring, acoustic music. G is one of the most common keys.
How does Gmaj11 differ from Gmaj9?
Adds the eleventh (C) for expansive quality.
What songs use Major 11th chords?
Film scores, contemporary jazz, ambient.
Do I need to play all six notes?
No — drop the third. G–F#–A–C is clean.

Practice Tips

  • Drop the third: G–F#–A–C avoids the B–C clash.
  • Gmaj11 as the IV in D Major adds expansive colour.
  • Compare with G11.
  • Sustain for atmosphere.
  • Spread across two hands.
  • Common in folk-jazz and acoustic settings.

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.

References & Further Reading

How this chord page is sourced & verified

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this page are drawn from the established body of Western music theory and verified against the conventions below — the same fundamentals taught in conservatories and music programs. We list categories of source material rather than individual titles, and reference the standards themselves rather than any single edition.

  • Standard music theory texts — Widely taught fundamentals of pitch, rhythm, and notation.
  • Western tonal harmony conventions — Established rules for chord construction, voice leading, and key relationships.
  • Interval and chord construction standards — The conventional spelling of intervals, triads, sevenths, and extensions.
  • Scale and mode theory — The common derivation of major, minor, pentatonic, blues, and modal scales.
  • Piano pedagogy and technique references — Long-standing practices for fingering, hand position, and practice.

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