Explore chords · Guitar
E minor 11th chord on guitar (Em11)
Also called or written Em11 or Emin11
E minor 11th contains E, G, B, D, F♯ and A. The open position is a simple shape with only one fretted note, but the full chord sounds rich and complex.
How it is built
Formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9, 11
- Root positionE–G–B–D–F♯–AEm110-0-0-0-0-2
- First inversionG–B–D–F♯–A–EEm11/G3-2-2-2-3-2
- Second inversionB–D–F♯–A–E–GEm11/Bno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionD–F♯–A–E–G–BEm11/Dno shape on this instrument
- Fourth inversionF♯–A–E–G–B–DEm11/F♯2-0-0-0-0-0
- Fifth inversionA–E–G–B–D–F♯Em11/Ano shape on this instrument
How do you play an E minor 11th chord on guitar?
E minor 11th is played in open position as 0 0 0 0 0 2: index finger on the high e string at fret 2. The low E, A, D, G and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (2) |
AdvancedThe open position is easy, but the index finger must fret the 1st string at the 2nd fret without touching the open 2nd string.
12th fret
E minor 11th is played at the 12th fret as 12 12 12 12 12 14: barre your index finger across fret 12 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 14.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (4) |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 1 (barre) | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 1 (barre) | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 4 | F♯ (2) |
Em11/G inversion · fret 2
E minor 11th is played at the 2nd fret as 3 2 2 2 3 2: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the low E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 (barre) | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
Em11/G inversion · fret 14
E minor 11th is played at the 14th fret as 15 14 14 14 15 14: barre your index finger across fret 14, ring finger on the low E string at fret 15 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 15.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 15 | 3 | G (♭3) |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 1 (barre) | B (5) |
| 4 (D) | 14 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 3 (G) | 14 | 1 (barre) | A (4) |
| 2 (B) | 15 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (2) |
Em11/F♯ inversion
E minor 11th is played in open position as 2 0 0 0 0 0: index finger on the low E string at fret 2. The A, D, G, B and high e strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (2) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E minor 11th is built from the formula 1, ♭3, 5, ♭7, 9, 11. The 11th, A, adds a suspended colour above the minor seventh. Compare with E minor 9th, which omits the 11th.
What goes wrong with E minor 11th?
- The 2nd string is muted because the index finger touches it while fretting the 1st string.
- The 1st string buzzes because the index finger is not pressing firmly at the 2nd fret.
When to use it
E minor 11th works as the vi in G major progressions like G–D–Em–C, the I–V–vi–IV. It suits folk, rock and ballads where the open strings add resonance.
Changing to and from E minor 11th
- Move to E minor by lifting the index finger from the 1st string.
Which voicing to use
The open position keeps E in the bass for a grounded root sound. The Em11/G inversion at the 2nd fret puts G in the bass, giving a darker, less stable colour.
Other E chords
Common questions
How is E minor 11th written?
E minor 11th is written Emin11 or Em11. The root is E, and it has no common enharmonic spelling.
What is the difference between E minor 11th and E minor 9th?
E minor 11th adds the 11th, A, to the notes of E minor 9th. The 11th creates a suspended quality that the 9th does not have.
Why does the open position use only one fretted note?
The open strings already provide the root, fifth, seventh, ninth and eleventh. Only the high E string needs to be fretted to sound the 9th, F♯.