B11 Chord on Guitar

B11 is the B dominant 11th chord — 6 notes (B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, E) built from the formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: B · D♯ · F♯ · A · C♯ · EFormula: 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 · 11Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

B11: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • B11 – open position×R5♭7911open position
  • B11 – fret 2×R11♭795fret 2
  • B11 – fret 44R95R11♭7fret 4
  • B11 – fret 77R11♭7359fret 7
  • B11 – fret 99××R11♭79fret 9
  • B11 – fret 1212×R3♭7R11fret 12
  • B11 – fret 1414×R11♭795fret 14

B11: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • B11 – R-3-76R3♭7×××R-3-7
  • B11 – R-3-7×R3♭7××R-3-7
  • B11 – R-7-37R×♭73××R-7-3
  • B11 – R-7-3×R×♭73×R-7-3

Keys that contain B11

Scales to play over B11

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, E.

Other B chords

Dominant 11th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the B11 chord?
B11 (B dominant 11th) contains B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, E — formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11.
How do you play B11 on guitar?
A common shape is x24220 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with B11?
Good choices to solo over B11: B Mixolydian, B Mixolydian ♭6.
What key is B11 in?
B11 is diatonic in E major (V11), C♯ minor (♭VII11).