The D11 guitar chord (D eleventh) is a rich and complex chord that adds depth and color to your music. It’s used in jazz, blues, and other genres to create a sophisticated and textured sound. This guide will cover what the D11 chord is, how to play it, common mistakes, and tips for mastering it.
1. What is a D11 Guitar Chord?
The D11 chord is an extended chord that builds on the D dominant seventh chord by adding an eleventh note. It’s typically used to add more color and complexity to a chord progression.
D11 Chord Formula:
- Root (D)
- Major third (F#)
- Perfect fifth (A)
- Minor seventh (C)
- Perfect eleventh (G)
This chord combines the characteristics of the dominant seventh chord with the additional eleventh note, creating a full and rich sound.
2. How to Play the D11 Guitar Chord
Here are a few common ways to play the D11 chord on the guitar:
D11 (Root on 5th Fret)
How to Play:
- Mute the 6th (E) string by either not playing it or lightly resting your thumb on it.
- Use your index finger to barre the 5th fret across the A (5th string), D (4th string), G (3rd string), B (2nd string), and high E (1st string).
In this voicing, you’re essentially barring the 5th fret across multiple strings, creating an A7sus4 sound but rooted in D, giving it the D11 sound.
Summary of Notes in This Voicing:
- D (root) – 5th fret on the A string
- G (eleventh) – 5th fret on the D string
- C (minor seventh) – 5th fret on the G string
- F (added note) – 5th fret on the B string
- A (fifth) – 5th fret on the high E string
D11 Open Position:
- Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the A string (5th string).
- Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Strum from the A string down, playing the A, D, G, and B strings.
This version of the D11 chord is relatively complex and might be challenging for beginners, but it provides a full, resonant sound.
D11 Barre Chord (10th Fret):
- Barre your index finger across the 10th fret of the A string (5th string) to the high E string (1st string).
- Place your middle finger on the 11th fret of the D string (4th string).
- Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the G string (3rd string).
- Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the B string (2nd string).
- Strum from the A string down, playing the A, D, G, B, and high E strings.
This barre chord version provides a rich and complex sound, ideal for more advanced playing.
Strumming Tips:
- Ensure all notes are clear and not muted by checking each string individually.
- Experiment with fingerpicking or a light strum to bring out the nuances of the chord.
3. Video Tutorial
For a visual guide on how to play the D11 chord, check out this Video Tutorial on the D11 Chord. It covers both the open position and barre chord versions.
4. Common Mistakes and Tips for Playing the D11 Guitar Chord
Common Mistakes:
- Muted notes: Ensure that each note in the chord rings out clearly, especially in the barre chord version.
- Incorrect finger positioning: Proper finger placement is crucial for the chord to sound clean and resonant.
- Strumming unwanted strings: Make sure you are only strumming the strings that are part of the chord.
Tips for Playing the D11 Chord:
- Check string clarity: Play each string individually to ensure all notes are ringing clearly.
- Work on barre strength: For the barre chord version, practice building finger strength to avoid muted notes.
- Practice transitions: Work on transitioning between D11 and other chords, such as D7 and G7, to improve your overall playing.
5. D11 Chord Variations
Here are some variations of the D11 chord:
- D11 (Root on 7th Fret):
- Move the D11 chord shape to the 7th fret for a different tonal quality and pitch.
- D7#11:
- Add a sharp eleventh (G#) to create a more dissonant and jazzy variation.
6. Chord Progressions and Songs Featuring the D11 Guitar Chord
Common Chord Progressions:
- D11 – G7 – Cmaj7: A smooth progression that uses D11 to add richness and complexity.
- D11 – A7 – Dmaj7: A progression that features D11 as a leading chord to A7 and resolves to Dmaj7.
- D11 – Em7 – A7: A jazzy progression where D11 adds tension before resolving to Em7 and A7.
Songs Featuring the D11 Chord:
- “The Girl from Ipanema” by Antônio Carlos Jobim: Uses chords like D11 to create a rich, sophisticated sound.
- “Blue in Green” by Miles Davis: Features complex chords, including D11, in a jazz context.
- Jazz standards: Many jazz standards incorporate extended chords like D11 to add depth and color.
7. Tips for Practicing the D11 Guitar Chord
- Start slow: Practice the D11 chord slowly to ensure accuracy and clarity.
- Focus on finger placement: Ensure each finger is pressing the correct fret and string to avoid muted notes.
- Incorporate into progressions: Practice the D11 chord within various chord progressions to understand its role and function.
8. Related Chords to D11 Guitar Chord
Here are some related chords that complement the D11 chord:
- D7: The dominant seventh chord that is the basis for the D11 chord.
- G7: A dominant seventh chord that works well with D11 in many progressions.
- Dmaj7: The major seventh chord that can be used to resolve the tension created by D11.
The D11 guitar chord is a versatile and complex chord that adds depth and sophistication to your music. Whether you’re working on jazz, blues, or any genre that benefits from rich harmonies, this chord can enhance your progressions and add a unique sound to your playing. Practice it slowly, focus on clarity, and use it to explore new musical possibilities. Happy playing!