B11 — B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, E — is a dominant 11th chord: stacked thirds up through the 11th over a dominant 7. The third is almost always omitted in practice because the 11th sits a half-step above it — the classic suspended colour.
Intervals
The B dominant 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- B→D#major 3rd4 semitones
- D#→F#minor 3rd3 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
- C#→Eminor 3rd3 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the B dominant 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the B dominant 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1B
- 3D#
- 5F#
- ♭7A
- 9C#
- 11E
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (E). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 11th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as a V-sus colour — the 11th replaces the 3rd, giving the chord a suspended, unresolved feel before final resolution.
Drill it
The B dominant 11 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in a B11 chord?
- B11 contains six notes: B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, E.
- How is B11 different from B7?
- B11 adds the 11th (E) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is B11 used in music?
- Functions as a V-sus colour — the 11th replaces the 3rd, giving the chord a suspended, unresolved feel before final resolution.