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G major 11th chord on guitar (Gmaj11)
Also called or written Gmaj11 or GM11
G major 11th is built from G, B, D, F♯, A, and C. The open position requires a wide stretch across the low strings, making it a demanding advanced chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11
- Root positionG–B–D–F♯–A–CGmaj113-3-0-2-0-2
- First inversionB–D–F♯–A–C–GGmaj11/B7-5-5-5-7-5
- Second inversionD–F♯–A–C–G–BGmaj11/Dno shape on this instrument
- Third inversionF♯–A–C–G–B–DGmaj11/F♯2-3-0-2-0-3
- Fourth inversionA–C–G–B–D–F♯Gmaj11/A5-3-4-4-3-3
- Fifth inversionC–G–B–D–F♯–AGmaj11/C8-9-7-7-8-7
How do you play a G major 11th chord on guitar?
G major 11th is played in open position as 3 3 0 2 0 2: ring finger on the low E string at fret 3, pinky finger on the A string at fret 3, index finger on the G string at fret 2 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 2. The D and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 4 | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
AdvancedThe open position requires stretching the pinky to the 3rd fret of the A string while fretting the low E with the ring finger.
3rd fret
G major 11th is played at the 3rd fret as 3 3 4 4 3 5: barre your index finger across fret 3, middle finger on the D string at fret 4, ring finger on the G string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 3 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 1 (barre) | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 4 | A (2) |
Gmaj11/B inversion · fret 5
G major 11th is played at the 5th fret as 7 5 5 5 7 5: barre your index finger across fret 5, ring finger on the low E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the B string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (3) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 1 (barre) | G (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 1 (barre) | C (4) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
| 1 (e) | 5 | 1 (barre) | A (2) |
Gmaj11/B inversion · fret 7
G major 11th is played at the 7th fret as 7 9 7 7 8 8: barre your index finger across fret 7, pinky finger on the A string at fret 9, middle finger on the B string at fret 8 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 8.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 1 (barre) | B (3) |
| 5 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
| 4 (D) | 7 | 1 (barre) | A (2) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 1 (barre) | D (5) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 2 | G (1) |
| 1 (e) | 8 | 3 | C (4) |
Gmaj11/F♯ inversion
G major 11th is played in open position as 2 3 0 2 0 3: index finger on the low E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 3. The D and B strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (7) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 3 | C (4) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (5) |
| 3 (G) | 2 | 2 | A (2) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (3) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 4 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G major 11th adds the 9th (A) and 11th (C) to the major 7th chord. The 11th introduces a suspended color against the major 3rd. Compare it to the G major 9th, which stops at the 9th.
What goes wrong with G major 11th?
- Letting the pinky collapse and mute the D string.
- Fretting the G string with the index finger too flat, causing a buzz on the B string.
- Striking the low E string too hard, overpowering the chord.
When to use it
G major 11th functions as the I chord in G major, fitting progressions like I–IV–V–I (G–C–D–G). Its open, ringing voicing suits folk and singer-songwriter styles. Use it to add color to a G major progression.
Changing to and from G major 11th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives F major 11th.
- Move from G major 11th to G major by lifting the pinky and middle fingers and placing the index on the 2nd fret of the A string.
Which voicing to use
The open position has the root G in the bass and is the most accessible. The Gmaj11/B inversion puts the third in the bass for a warmer sound, while the Gmaj11/F♯ inversion has the major 7th in the bass for a more leading tone.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G major 11th written?
G major 11th is written as GM11 or Gmaj11.
What is the difference between G major 11th and G major 9th?
G major 11th adds the 11th (C) to the G major 9th. The 11th creates a suspended, airy quality that the 9th lacks.
Can G major 11th be played as a barre chord?
Yes, the 3rd fret position uses a full barre. The open position avoids barring but demands a wide stretch.
Why does G major 11th sound dissonant?
The 11th (C) forms a minor 2nd with the major 3rd (B) when voiced in the same octave. Spreading the voicing reduces the clash.