Dm11 — D, F, A, C, E, G — 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 D minor 11 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- D→Fminor 3rd3 semitones
- F→Amajor 3rd4 semitones
- A→Cminor 3rd3 semitones
- C→Emajor 3rd4 semitones
- E→Gminor 3rd3 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the D minor 11 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the D minor 11 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1D
- ♭3F
- 5A
- ♭7C
- 9E
- 11G
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 11th (G). 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 D 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.
Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzleRelated
Frequently asked
- What notes are in a Dm11 chord?
- Dm11 contains six notes: D, F, A, C, E, G.
- How is Dm11 different from Dm7?
- Dm11 adds the 11th (G) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 11th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Dm11 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.