C♯m11 — C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯ — is a minor 11th chord: stacked thirds up through the 11th over a minor 7. One of the most-used extended minor chords in jazz, often heard as the iim11 in modal ii-V-I cadences.
Intervals
The C# minor 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- C#→Eminor 3rd3 semitones
- E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
- G#→Bminor 3rd3 semitones
- B→D#major 3rd4 semitones
- D#→F#minor 3rd3 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the C# minor 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the C# minor 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1C#
- ♭3E
- 5G#
- ♭7B
- 9D#
- 11F#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (F♯). 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 the iim11 in jazz ii-V-i cadences and as a modal-minor tonic alternative to plain m7 or m9.
Drill it
The C# minor 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 C♯m11 chord?
- C♯m11 contains six notes: C♯, E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯.
- How is C♯m11 different from C♯m7?
- C♯m11 adds the 11th (F♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is C♯m11 used in music?
- Functions as the iim11 in jazz ii-V-i cadences and as a modal-minor tonic alternative to plain m7 or m9.