Em11 — E, G, B, D, F♯, A — is a minor 11th chord: stacked thirds up through the 11th over a minor 7. One of the most-used extended minor chords in jazz, often heard as the iim11 in modal ii-V-I cadences.
Intervals
The E minor 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
- G→Bmajor 3rd4 semitones
- B→Dminor 3rd3 semitones
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the E minor 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the E minor 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1E
- ♭3G
- 5B
- ♭7D
- 9F#
- 11A
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (A). 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 the iim11 in jazz ii-V-i cadences and as a modal-minor tonic alternative to plain m7 or m9.
Drill it
The E minor 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 Em11 chord?
- Em11 contains six notes: E, G, B, D, F♯, A.
- How is Em11 different from Em7?
- Em11 adds the 11th (A) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Em11 used in music?
- Functions as the iim11 in jazz ii-V-i cadences and as a modal-minor tonic alternative to plain m7 or m9.