How to Play E11 Chord on Guitar | E Dominant Eleventh
Welcome to our tutorial on the E 11 chord. This chord is a member of the Dominant Chords family and is a fascinating blend of tones that can add a unique flavor to your music. The E 11 chord is composed of the notes E, G#, B, D, F#, and A. These notes are built on the intervals of 1, 3, 5, b7, 9, and 11.
The full names of these music intervals are: Root (1), Major Third (3), Perfect Fifth (5), Minor Seventh (b7), Major Ninth (9), and Perfect Eleventh (11). Understanding these intervals is crucial for mastering the E 11 chord and for building chords in general. If you're new to the concept of intervals, you may find our fretboard intervals tutorial helpful.
In this tutorial, we will provide you with chord diagrams and fretboard patterns that clearly illustrate the tones that compose the E 11 chord. This will help you visualize the chord and understand how it is constructed. For a more comprehensive understanding of guitar chords of all types, you might want to check out our full tutorial about guitar chords.
As you progress in your guitar journey, understanding and mastering chords like the E 11 will open up a new world of musical possibilities. So let's dive into the intricacies of the E 11 chord and start expanding your chord vocabulary!
Notes in the E 11 chord:
Chord Structure:
E Dominant Eleventh Guitar Chord Voicings
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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
Open
Position 2
Barre
Open
Position 3
Barre
Open
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FAQ
What is an E 11 chord and what are its constituent notes?
The E 11 chord is a complex dominant chord composed of six specific notes: E, G#, B, D, F#, and A. It's a member of the Dominant Chords family, which often creates a sense of tension leading to resolution in music.
What intervals make up the E 11 chord?
The E 11 chord is built upon the following intervals relative to its root (E): the Root (1), Major Third (3), Perfect Fifth (5), Minor Seventh (b7), Major Ninth (9), and Perfect Eleventh (11). These intervals correspond to the notes E, G#, B, D, F#, and A respectively.
Why is the E 11 classified as a 'Dominant Chord'?
The E 11 chord is classified as a dominant chord primarily because of its Minor Seventh (b7) interval, which is the note D in this case. This characteristic interval creates a specific harmonic tension that is typical of dominant chords and often resolves to a tonic chord.
What is the significance of including the 9th (F#) and 11th (A) intervals in the E 11 chord?
The inclusion of the Major Ninth (F#) and Perfect Eleventh (A) extends the basic dominant 7th chord, adding richness, complexity, and a distinct 'open' or 'suspended' quality to the E 11. These higher extensions provide more color and harmonic options, opening up new musical possibilities.
What role do chord diagrams and fretboard patterns play in mastering the E 11 chord?
Chord diagrams and fretboard patterns are visual aids that clearly illustrate where each of the E 11 chord's notes (E, G#, B, D, F#, A) are located on the guitar fretboard. They are essential for helping guitarists visualize the chord's construction, understand note placement, and learn various practical voicings to play the chord.