G♯add11 — G♯, B♯, D♯, C♯ — is an add11 chord: major triad + 11th (no 7th, no 9th in between) — a brighter, more harmonically open colour.
Intervals
The G# add 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- G#→B#major 3rd4 semitones
- B#→D#minor 3rd3 semitones
- D#→C#minor 7th10 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the G# add 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the G# add 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1G#
- 3B#
- 5D#
- 11C#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (C♯). 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 G# 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 G♯add11 chord?
- G♯add11 contains four notes: G♯, B♯, D♯, C♯.
- How is G♯add11 different from G♯maj7?
- G♯add11 adds the 11th (C♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is G♯add11 used in music?
- Functions as a bright extended tonic in rock and modern songwriting, especially in lydian-flavoured passages.