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Lesson 48 - Major 11th Chords

I. Index


1.  Introduction

2.  Constructing the Major 11th Chord

3.  Playing the Major 11th Chord

4.  Major 11th Chord in all 12 Keys

5.  Conclusion


II. Content


1. Introduction
In this lesson, you will learn about the major 11th chord. The major 11th chord is basically a major 9th chord with one extra note added - the perfect 11th.


2. Constructing the Major 11th Chord
Playing the major 11th chord is easy. Just play a major 9th chord, and add a note that is an interval of a perfect 11th from the root note of the chord. Another way to think about it is by using a formula of half steps. Below is the formula for the major 11th chord.

Root + 4HS + 3HS + 4HS + 3HS + 3HS


3. Playing the Major 11th Chord
Let's take a look at the major 11th chord starting on C. This is called the C major 11th chord (Cmaj11). In the animation below, the notes of the C major 11th chord are first played separately, then together.









4. Major 11th Chord in all 12 Keys
You can play the major 11th chord in all twelve keys. Below is a list of all 12 major 11th chords.

Key of C: C, E, G, B, D, F

Key of G: G, B, D, F#, A, C

Key of D: D, F#, A, C#, E, G

Key of A: A, C#, E, G#, B, D

Key of E: E, G#, B, D#, F#, A

Key of B: B, D#, F#, A#, C#, E

Key of Gb: Gb, Bb, Db, F, Ab, Cb

Key of Db : Db, F, Ab, C, Eb, Gb

Key of Ab: Ab, C, Eb, G, Bb, Db

Key of Eb: Eb, G, Bb, D, F, Ab

Key of Bb: Bb, D, F, A, C, Eb

Key of F : F, A, C, E, G, Bb


5. Conclusion
In this lesson, you learned how to play the C major 11th chord. There is a major 11th chord for each of the 12 keys.
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