How to play B♭ Dominant 11th 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: x11111
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 5th strings at fret 1 (a barre).
- Don't play the 6th string.
Shape 2: 666768 (from fret 6)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 2nd to 6th strings at fret 6 (a barre).
- Press the 3rd string (G) at fret 7.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 8.
Shape 3: 633344 (from fret 3)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd to 5th strings at fret 3 (a barre).
- Press the 6th string (E) at fret 6.
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 4.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 4.
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 B♭ Dominant 11th
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| B♭ | 1 (root) |
| D | 3 |
| F | 5 |
| A♭ | ♭7 |
| C | 9 |
| E♭ | 11 |
The formula for B♭ Dominant 11th (eleventh chord) is 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11: take the root, then the scale degrees listed. In the A♯ spelling the notes are A♯ C𝄪 E♯ G♯ B♯ D♯.
When to use B♭11
Dominant 11th chords are open and suspended, because the fourth clashes with the major third and the third is usually left out. Think gospel, funk and modal vamps.
Other B♭ chords
B♭, B♭m, B♭7, B♭maj7, B♭m7, B♭sus2, B♭sus4, B♭°, B♭+, B♭add9, B♭6, B♭ø7
Other dominant 11th chords on guitar
C11, D♭11, D11, E♭11, E11, F11, F♯11, G11, A♭11, A11, B11
Frequently asked questions
How do you play B♭ Dominant 11th on guitar?
The easiest B♭11 shape on guitar is x11111 (Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 5th strings at fret 1 (a barre). Don't play the 6th string.)
What notes are in B♭ Dominant 11th?
B♭ Dominant 11th (B♭11) contains the notes B♭ D F A♭ C E♭. The formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9 11.
Is B♭ the same as A♯?
Yes. B♭ and A♯ are two names for the same pitch, so B♭ Dominant 11th and A♯ Dominant 11th sound identical and use the same guitar shapes. Written as A♯11 the notes are spelled A♯ C𝄪 E♯ G♯ B♯ D♯.
How many guitar shapes are there for B♭11?
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 B♭ Dominant 11th on ukulele, check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full guitar chord library.