C11 — C, E, G, B♭, D, F — is a dominant 11th chord: stacked thirds up through the 11th over a dominant 7. The third is almost always omitted in practice because the 11th sits a half-step above it — the classic suspended colour.
Intervals
The C dominant 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- C→Emajor 3rd4 semitones
- E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
- G→Bbminor 3rd3 semitones
- Bb→Dmajor 3rd4 semitones
- D→Fminor 3rd3 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the C dominant 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the C dominant 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1C
- 3E
- 5G
- ♭7Bb
- 9D
- 11F
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (F). 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 V-sus colour — the 11th replaces the 3rd, giving the chord a suspended, unresolved feel before final resolution.
Drill it
The C dominant 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.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in a C11 chord?
- C11 contains six notes: C, E, G, B♭, D, F.
- How is C11 different from C7?
- C11 adds the 11th (F) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is C11 used in music?
- Functions as a V-sus colour — the 11th replaces the 3rd, giving the chord a suspended, unresolved feel before final resolution.