Dadd11 — D, F♯, A, G — is an add11 chord: major triad + 11th (no 7th, no 9th in between) — a brighter, more harmonically open colour.
Intervals
The D add 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→Gminor 7th10 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the D add 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the D add 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1D
- 3F#
- 5A
- 11G
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (G). 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 D 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 Dadd11 chord?
- Dadd11 contains four notes: D, F♯, A, G.
- How is Dadd11 different from Dmaj7?
- Dadd11 adds the 11th (G) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Dadd11 used in music?
- Functions as a bright extended tonic in rock and modern songwriting, especially in lydian-flavoured passages.