Dm11 Chord on Guitar: How To Play the D Minor Eleventh chord
Welcome to our tutorial on the D m11 chord. This chord belongs to the Minor Chords family and is composed of the notes D, F, A, C, E, and G. The intervals that build this chord are 1, b3, 5, b7, 9, and 11, which are also known as the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, Minor Seventh, Major Ninth, and Perfect Eleventh.
The D m11 chord is a complex chord, often used in jazz and fusion music. It's a beautiful chord that adds depth and complexity to your playing. Understanding how to build and play this chord will expand your chord vocabulary and improve your guitar skills. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of intervals and how they build chords, you may want to check out our tutorial on building chords by stacking intervals.
Learning to play the D m11 chord involves understanding how to navigate the fretboard and identify the tones that compose the chord. This will be easier if you have a solid understanding of fretboard intervals.
As you progress in your guitar journey, you'll come across chords that are more advanced than the basics. The D m11 is one such chord, and you can find more like it in our intermediate guitar chord tutorial.
Once you've mastered the D m11 chord, you can start incorporating it into your playing. You might find it useful in jazz chord progressions, which often use maj7, m7, and 7 chord types.
Remember, learning chords is not just about memorizing shapes and positions. It's about understanding the music theory behind them. So, whether you're just starting out or looking to expand your chord knowledge, our comprehensive guitar chord tutorial is a great resource.
Notes in the D m11 chord:
Tones of the Minor Eleventh chord:
Dm11 Guitar Chord Fingers Positions
Chord boxes are sorted from the easiest to the hardest. Learn how to read chord diagrams.
If you have difficulties with bar chord shapes, check the Bar Chords Tips tutorial.
You can also use this accessible chords page with written diagrams instruction.
Position 1
Movable
Position 2
Open
Position 3
Movable
Position 4
Movable
Position 5
Movable
Position 6
Barre
Movable
Position 7
Barre
Movable
Position 8
Barre
Movable
Position 9
Barre
Movable
Position 10
Barre
Movable
Position 11
Barre
Movable
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FAQ
What notes and intervals make up the Dm11 chord?
The Dm11 chord is composed of six distinct notes: D, F, A, C, E, and G. These notes represent the intervals of the Root (D), Minor Third (F), Perfect Fifth (A), Minor Seventh (C), Major Ninth (E), and Perfect Eleventh (G) respectively.
Why is the Dm11 considered a complex or advanced chord?
The Dm11 chord is considered complex and advanced because it includes six notes, making it harmonically dense. It expands beyond basic triads and seventh chords by incorporating the Major Ninth and Perfect Eleventh intervals, requiring a deeper understanding of music theory and often more finger dexterity to play on the guitar.
How does the Dm11 chord differ from a simpler minor chord like a Dm7?
A Dm7 chord consists of the Root, Minor Third, Perfect Fifth, and Minor Seventh (D, F, A, C). The Dm11 chord builds upon this by adding two more intervals: the Major Ninth (E) and the Perfect Eleventh (G). These additional notes contribute to its fuller, richer, and often more open or suspended sound.
When is the Dm11 chord typically used in music?
The Dm11 chord is primarily used in jazz and fusion music to add sophisticated harmonic depth and complexity. It’s effective in chord progressions where other extended chords like major seventh, minor seventh, and dominant seventh types are common, providing a nuanced and often mellow sound.
What is the significance of the '9' and '11' in the Dm11 chord name?
The '9' and '11' in the Dm11 chord name refer to the Major Ninth (E) and Perfect Eleventh (G) intervals, which are added to a D minor seventh chord. These are known as chord extensions and are crucial for creating the characteristic rich and extended harmony of the Dm11, distinguishing it from simpler minor chords.