Also 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.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Tip — The open position is easy, but the index finger must fret the 1st string at the 2nd fret without touching the open 2nd string.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | open | — | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (11) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (9) |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 12 | 1 (barre) | E (1) |
| 5 (A) | 12 | 1 (barre) | A (11) |
| 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♯ (9) |
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.
| 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 (11) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (9) |
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.
| 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 (11) |
| 2 (B) | 15 | 4 | D (♭7) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 1 (barre) | F♯ (9) |
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.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (9) |
| 5 (A) | open | — | A (11) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (♭7) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (♭3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (5) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (1) |
E minor 11th is written Emin11 or Em11. The root is E, and it has no common enharmonic spelling.
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.
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♯.