C#11 chord on piano

C Sharp Dominant Eleventh, also written Db11. Notes: C#, F, G#, B, D# and F#.

C#11 piano chord, root positionC4FBC5C#G#D#F#
Root position. Tap any key to hear it.

How to play C#11

  1. Find C# at or above middle C. That is the root.
  2. Add F, G#, B, D# and F# above it, skipping the keys in between.
  3. Right hand fingering: 1-2-3-4-5, or split the chord between both hands. Left hand: play the root and fifth, and leave the upper notes to the right hand.

Notes

C#root
F3 · major third
G#5 · perfect fifth
Bb7 · minor seventh
D#9 · ninth
F#11 · eleventh

Notes and theory

C#root
F3 · major third
G#5 · perfect fifth
Bb7 · minor seventh
D#9 · ninth
F#11 · eleventh

The eleventh chord stacks thirds up to the eleventh. On guitar the third is often left out so the eleventh does not clash. The formula is 1 3 5 b7 9 11. Strictly by music theory the notes are spelled C#, E#, G#, B, D# and F#; E# is the same key as F.

More C# chords

All C# piano chords

dominant eleventh chords in every key

Questions

What notes are in the C#11 chord?

C#11 (C sharp dominant eleventh) is made of six notes: C# (root), F (major third), G# (perfect fifth), B (minor seventh), D# (ninth) and F# (eleventh).

How do you play C#11 on piano?

Play C#, F, G#, B, D# and F# together. With the right hand use fingers 1-2-3-4-5, or split the chord between both hands; with the left hand use play the root and fifth, and leave the upper notes to the right hand.

What does a dominant eleventh chord sound like?

The eleventh chord stacks thirds up to the eleventh. On guitar the third is often left out so the eleventh does not clash.