How to play the Am11 chord on guitar

The Am11 chord, pronounced A minor eleventh, is a sophisticated and jazzy variation of the standard A minor chord. It adds the 11th note of the scale, creating a rich and complex sound. This chord is commonly used in jazz, R&B, and neo-soul genres to add depth and flavor to progressions. Notable songs featuring Am11 include "Neo Soul" by Musiq Soulchild and "Butterflies" by Michael Jackson.

The Am11 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 5th fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Am11 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 5th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.

To strum this chord, play all six strings together in a downward motion, starting from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Am11 chord, try playing an Am7 chord instead. Place your first finger on the 1st fret of the B string, second finger on the 2nd fret of the D string, and third finger on the 2nd fret of the G string. Strum from the A string.

The Am11 chord is most commonly played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for playing higher up the neck or transitioning to other chords more easily.

Here's how to play an Am11 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Am11 chord often serves as a melancholic or contemplative resolution in chord progressions, providing a sense of emotional depth and introspection. Some common chord progressions featuring the Am11 chord include:

• i - iv - i - iv (Am11 - Dm7 - Am11 - Dm7)
• i - v - iv - i (Am11 - Em7 - Dm7 - Am11)
• i - bVI - bVII - i (Am11 - F - G - Am11). Used in "Stairway to Heaven" by Led Zeppelin and "Wish You Were Here" by Pink Floyd.
• i - bIII - bVII - IV (Am11 - C - G - D). Used in "Hey Joe" by Jimi Hendrix.
• i - iv - VII - III (Am11 - Dm7 - G - C)

Mastering the Am11 Chord

To master the Am11 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clean and clear tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between the notes in different orders, such as A-C-E-G-B-D, or A-E-C-G-D-B. This drill helps build muscle memory and familiarity with the chord shape.

Another effective drill is to play the Am11 chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note one at a time in ascending or descending order. This exercise helps develop finger independence and improves your ability to switch between the notes smoothly.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Am11 chord.

1. Iris by Goo Goo Dolls (G, D, Am, C, Em, Am11)
2. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em, G, D, Am11)
3. Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's (D, F#m, D/F#, Am11, C)
4. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) by Green Day (G, C, D, Em, Am11)
5. Riptide by Vance Joy (Am, G, C, Am11)
6. I'm Yours by Jason Mraz (C, G, Am11, F)
7. Hotel California by Eagles (Am, E7, G, D, F, C, Dm, E7sus4, Am11)
8. Hey Soul Sister by Train (C, G, Am11, F)
9. Skinny Love by Bon Iver (Am, C, Em, Am11)
10. The A Team by Ed Sheeran (G, D/F#, Em, C, Am11)