A Minor 11th
Hear the A Minor 11th chord played for you.
Am11
A – C – E – G – B – D
Formula:R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-b7-9-11
Introduction
The A Minor 11th chord is a six-note chord made up of A, C, E, G, B, and D. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh.
The A Minor 11th piano chord (Am11) consists of the notes A, C, E, G, B, D. It is a minor 9th chord with an added perfect 11th, giving it a dark and expansive character commonly used in jazz, funk, and soul. Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-b7-9-11.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of A Minor 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 A Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — A Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11
The A Minor 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 Minor 11th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A Minor 11th chord?
Am11 contains six notes: A, C, E, G, B, D. All white keys. Practical voicing: A–C–G–B–D. No clash.
How does Am11 differ from A11?
Am11 has minor third (C). A11 has major third (C#, usually omitted).
How is Am11 used in music?
Am11 is the ii in G Major and the vi in C Major. One of the most common m11 chords in pop, jazz, and lo-fi.
How does Am11 differ from Am9?
Adds the eleventh (D) for warmth and fullness.
What songs use Minor 11th chords?
Neo-soul, lo-fi, modern jazz. Am11 is ubiquitous.
Do I need to play all six notes?
Drop the fifth: A–C–G–B–D. All white keys.
Practice Tips
- Am11 is all white keys — the easiest m11 alongside Dm11.
- No clash — all notes work together.
- Practice Am11 → D13 → Gmaj9.
- Am11 is a lo-fi staple — loop for instant atmosphere.
- Stacked fourths: B–E–A–D–G is the So What-adjacent voicing.
- Compare with Am9 — eleventh adds fullness.
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.