B9(#11) Guitar Chord - Guitar Chords Chart
Welcome to our tutorial on the B 9(#11) chord. This complex yet beautiful chord is part of the Dominant Chords family, which you can learn more about in our dominant guitar chords tutorial. The B 9(#11) chord is composed of the notes B, D#, F#, A, C#, and E#. These notes are derived from the intervals 1 (Root), 3 (Major Third), 5 (Perfect Fifth), b7 (Minor Seventh), 9 (Major Ninth), and #11 (Augmented Fourth).
Understanding the makeup of this chord requires a solid understanding of music intervals. If you're not sure about any of the intervals mentioned above, we recommend you check out our tutorial on fretboard intervals. This will help you grasp how the B 9(#11) chord is built and how its unique sound is created.
Learning to play the B 9(#11) chord involves mastering chord diagrams and fretboard patterns. These visual aids illustrate where your fingers should be placed on the fretboard to play this chord. If you're unfamiliar with reading these diagrams and patterns, our full tutorial on guitar chords is a great place to start.
Once you've mastered the B 9(#11) chord, you can incorporate it into various chord progressions to create unique and complex sounds. It's particularly popular in jazz chord progressions, which you can explore in our jazz chord progressions tutorial.
Remember, learning complex chords like the B 9(#11) takes time and practice, but the rich and beautiful sound it produces is well worth the effort. Happy playing!
Notes of the B 9(#11) chord:
Chord structure of the Dominant Ninth Sharp Eleventh Added chord:
Fingerings for the B9(#11) guitar chord
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What defines a 9(#11) chord like the B9(#11)?
A 9(#11) chord is an advanced dominant chord that builds upon the basic dominant seventh (1, 3, 5, b7) by adding two extensions: a major ninth (9) and an augmented eleventh (#11). These additional intervals create a richer, more complex harmonic texture compared to simpler chords.
Why is the B9(#11) chord considered a 'Dominant Chord'?
The B9(#11) chord is classified as a Dominant Chord because its fundamental structure includes the root, major third (D#), perfect fifth (F#), and crucially, a minor seventh (A). This specific combination of intervals (1, 3, 5, b7) is the defining characteristic of a dominant seventh chord, even with the added ninth and augmented eleventh extensions.
What does the '#11' interval mean in the B9(#11) chord?
The '#11' represents an augmented eleventh interval. On the guitar fretboard, this means it is an augmented fourth note, but placed an octave higher than its usual position. In the B9(#11) chord, the E# note functions as the augmented eleventh, adding a bright, often tension-filled, and sophisticated color to the chord.
How are the notes B, D#, F#, A, C#, E# derived from the B9(#11) chord's intervals?
Starting from the root note B, each interval corresponds to a specific note: B (Root - 1), D# (Major Third - 3), F# (Perfect Fifth - 5), A (Minor Seventh - b7), C# (Major Ninth - 9), and E# (Augmented Eleventh - #11). These notes are stacked above the root according to their interval relationships.
Why is the B9(#11) chord described as 'complex'?
The B9(#11) chord is considered complex due to several factors: it contains six distinct notes, requiring more intricate finger placements on the guitar; it uses advanced intervals like the 9th and #11th, which add theoretical depth; and its rich, sometimes dissonant, sound demands a more developed ear and understanding of harmony to apply effectively.
When is it appropriate to use the B9(#11) chord in music?
The B9(#11) chord is particularly well-suited for situations where you want to add a sophisticated, rich, and slightly modern sound to a dominant chord. It is frequently employed in jazz chord progressions, where its unique harmonic flavor can create interesting tension, provide a strong pull towards resolution, or add a 'modal' quality over a dominant function.