B♭add11 — B♭, D, F, E♭ — is an add11 chord: major triad + 11th (no 7th, no 9th in between) — a brighter, more harmonically open colour.
Intervals
The Bb add 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- Bb→Dmajor 3rd4 semitones
- D→Fminor 3rd3 semitones
- F→Ebminor 7th10 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the Bb add 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the Bb add 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1Bb
- 3D
- 5F
- 11Eb
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (E♭). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 11th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as a bright extended tonic in rock and modern songwriting, especially in lydian-flavoured passages.
Drill it
The Bb add 11 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzleRelated
Frequently asked
- What notes are in a B♭add11 chord?
- B♭add11 contains four notes: B♭, D, F, E♭.
- How is B♭add11 different from B♭maj7?
- B♭add11 adds the 11th (E♭) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is B♭add11 used in music?
- Functions as a bright extended tonic in rock and modern songwriting, especially in lydian-flavoured passages.