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C11 Chord on Guitar

C11 is the C dominant 11th chord — 6 notes (C, E, G, B♭, D, F) built from the formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: C · E · G · B♭ · D · FFormula: 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 · 11Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

C11: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • C11 – open position×R11♭793open position
  • C11 – fret 1×R3♭7R11fret 1
  • C11 – fret 3×R11♭795fret 3
  • C11 – fret 55R95R11♭7fret 5
  • C11 – fret 88R11♭7359fret 8
  • C11 – fret 1010××R11♭79fret 10
  • C11 – fret 1313×R3♭7R11fret 13
  • C11 – fret 1515×R11♭795fret 15

C11: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • C11 – R-3-77R3♭7×××R-3-7
  • C11 – R-3-7×R3♭7××R-3-7
  • C11 – R-7-38R×♭73××R-7-3
  • C11 – R-7-3×R×♭73×R-7-3

Keys that contain C11

Scales to play over C11

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain C, E, G, B♭, D, F.

Other C chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Dominant 11th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the C11 chord?
C11 (C dominant 11th) contains C, E, G, B♭, D, F — formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11.
How do you play C11 on guitar?
A common shape is x33330 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with C11?
Good choices to solo over C11: C Mixolydian, C Mixolydian ♭6.
What key is C11 in?
C11 is diatonic in F major (V11), D minor (♭VII11).