How to play A♭ Add 11 on guitar
These shapes are for standard tuning (E A D G B E). The first is the easiest, and the others sit in different positions on the neck. Playing in another tuning? Pick it above the diagrams and the shapes are redrawn for it.
Shape 1: 446544
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6.
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 5.
Shape 2: 441114
- Lay your index finger flat across the 2nd to 4th strings at fret 1 (a barre).
- Press the 6th string (E) at fret 4.
- Press the 5th string (A) at fret 4.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 4.
Shape 3: xx6698 (from fret 6)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd to 4th strings at fret 6 (a barre).
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 9.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 8.
- Don't play the 6th, 5th strings.
The numbers in the shape name list the fret for each string from the lowest (thickest) to the highest, with x meaning that string is not played and 0 meaning it rings open.
Notes in A♭ Add 11
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 (root) |
| C | 3 |
| E♭ | 5 |
| D♭ | 11 |
The formula for A♭ Add 11 (add4) is 1 3 5 11: take the root, then the scale degrees listed. In the G♯ spelling the notes are G♯ B♯ D♯ C♯.
When to use A♭add11
Add11 chords add the fourth above the octave to a major triad. The eleventh sits right next to the third, so the sound is open and a little crunchy.
Other A♭ chords
A♭, G♯m, A♭7, A♭maj7, G♯m7, A♭sus2, A♭sus4, G♯°, A♭+, A♭add9, A♭6, G♯ø7
Other add 11 chords on guitar
Cadd11, D♭add11, Dadd11, E♭add11, Eadd11, Fadd11, F♯add11, Gadd11, Aadd11, B♭add11, Badd11
Frequently asked questions
How do you play A♭ Add 11 on guitar?
The easiest A♭add11 shape on guitar is 446544 (Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 6th strings at fret 4 (a barre). Press the 4th string (D) at fret 6. Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 5.)
What notes are in A♭ Add 11?
A♭ Add 11 (A♭add11) contains the notes A♭ C E♭ D♭. The formula is 1 3 5 11.
Is A♭ the same as G♯?
Yes. A♭ and G♯ are two names for the same pitch, so A♭ Add 11 and G♯ Add 11 sound identical and use the same guitar shapes. Written as G♯add11 the notes are spelled G♯ B♯ D♯ C♯.
How many guitar shapes are there for A♭add11?
There are many. This page shows 3 common ones at different positions, easiest first. Moving a barre shape up the neck gives the same chord type on other roots.
See A♭ Add 11 on ukulele, check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full guitar chord library.