Construction
C♭ Minor 11th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd + Perfect 4th = C♭, E♭♭, G♭, B♭♭, D♭, F♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ | Root | 1 |
| E♭♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| D♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
| F♭ | Perfect 4th | 11 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C♭ Minor 11th is the tonic (i) chord of C♭ Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, D Major: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
F♯C♯
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 C♭ Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of C♭ Minor:
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | C♭ Minor | Minor |
| 2 | ii° | D♭ Diminished | Diminished |
| 3 | III | E♭♭ Major | Major |
| 4 | iv | F♭ Minor | Minor |
| 5 | v | G♭ Minor | Minor |
| 6 | VI | A♭♭ Major | Major |
| 7 | VII | B♭♭ Major | Major |
Scales That Include the C♭ Minor 11th
- D Major (vi)
- A Major (ii)
- B Minor (i)
- F# Minor (iv)
- E Dorian (v)
- F# Phrygian (iv)
- G Lydian (iii)
- A Mixolydian (ii)
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D♭ – F♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:
C♭ Minor 11th : Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♭ Minor 11th chord on piano?
The C♭ Minor 11th chord contains the notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D♭ – F♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Cb Minor 11th chord?
Cbm11 is the enharmonic equivalent of Bm11. Contains: Cb, Ebb, Gb, Bbb, Db, Fb (enharmonically B, D, F#, A, C#, E).
How does Cbm11 differ from Cb11?
Cbm11 has minor third. Cb11 has major third.
How is Cbm11 used in music?
Enharmonic equivalent of Bm11. Musicians use Bm11 in practice.
What songs use Minor 11th chords?
Neo-soul, modern jazz. Sound identical regardless of spelling.
How does Cbm11 differ from Cbm9?
Adds the eleventh for warmth.
Do I need to play all six notes?
Drop the fifth for practical voicing.