Chord reference · six-note chord
C#m11 chord (C-sharp minor eleventh)
C#m11 is the C-sharp minor eleventh chord. Play C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯ together to hear the chord in root position.
C#m11 chord notes and interval formula
The formula 1–♭3–5–♭7–9–11 means the chord is measured from C♯ using the root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, and perfect eleventh. In semitone numbers from the root, the pattern is 0–3–7–10–14–17. On a real instrument, it is normal to omit a less important tone—usually the fifth—when the full closed position is too dense.
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | C♯ |
| ♭3 | Minor Third | 3 | E |
| 5 | Perfect Fifth | 7 | G♯ |
| ♭7 | Minor Seventh | 10 | B |
| 9 | Major Ninth | 14 | D♯ |
| 11 | Perfect Eleventh | 17 | F♯ |
How to play C#m11 on piano
Start with the notes in root position from low to high: C♯ – E – G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯. Split the chord between both hands and omit the fifth when necessary is a useful starting point, but black-key combinations and melodic movement may make another fingering more comfortable.
For a cleaner accompaniment, place the root in the left hand and play the remaining tones in the right. With extended chords, keep the third and seventh because they identify the chord quality most clearly.
How to play C#m11 on guitar
Try the shape x-4-4-4-4-0 in standard tuning, read from low E to high E. The sounding-string details are: E mute; A fret 4: C♯; D fret 4: F♯; G fret 4: B; B fret 4: D♯; E open: E. Keep every note clear and release pressure from strings marked “x.”
This is one voicing, not the only correct shape. The chord remains C#m11 whenever the essential pitch classes are present; doubling, omission, and bass-note choice change the voicing rather than the basic chord name.
C#m11 inversions and slash chords
Inversions keep the same notes but place a different chord tone in the bass. They are useful for smoother bass lines, compact keyboard movement, and alternative guitar voicings.
| Position | Symbol | Notes low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position | C#m11 | C♯ – E – G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ | C♯ |
| 1st inversion | C#m11/E | E – G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ – C♯ | E |
| 2nd inversion | C#m11/G# | G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ – C♯ – E | G♯ |
| 3rd inversion | C#m11/B | B – D♯ – F♯ – C♯ – E – G♯ | B |
What C#m11 sounds like and where it fits
The C-sharp minor eleventh chord is wide and atmospheric. Minor eleventh chords are broad, layered sonorities. Practical voicings usually prioritize the root, minor third, flat seventh, ninth, and eleventh while omitting the fifth or doubling fewer tones.
C#m11 compared with similar chords
Small interval changes create different chord names. Use this table to avoid confusing C#m11 with nearby structures.
| Chord | Quality | Formula | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| C#m9 | Minor Ninth | 1–♭3–5–♭7–9 | C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯ |
| C#m7 | Minor Seventh | 1–♭3–5–♭7 | C♯, E, G♯, B |
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the C#m11 chord?
The C#m11 chord contains C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯. Its interval formula is 1–♭3–5–♭7–9–11.
How do you play C#m11 on piano?
Play C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯ together. A practical root-position fingering is split the chord between both hands and omit the fifth when necessary; adjust the fingering to your hand and musical context.
How do you play C#m11 on guitar?
One compact standard-tuning shape is x-4-4-4-4-0 from the low E string to the high E string. An “x” means mute that string.
What does the symbol C#m11 mean?
The root is C♯. The suffix m11 identifies a minor eleventh structure with the formula 1–♭3–5–♭7–9–11.
How many inversions does C#m11 have?
A 6-note chord has 6 closed-position arrangements when every chord tone is retained: root position plus 5 inversions. Extended practical voicings may omit notes.