How to play the C#m11 chord on guitar

The C#m11 chord, pronounced "C sharp minor eleventh," is a rich and complex guitar chord that adds depth and intrigue to any composition. Notable for its haunting and jazzy sound, the C#m11 is often used in genres like neo-soul, R&B, and indie rock. While not as common as simpler chords, the C#m11 can be found in songs by artists like Tom Misch and Lianne La Havas.

The most common way to play the C#m11 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 4th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a C#m11 chord on your guitar:

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

To strum this chord, play all six strings together in a downward motion, starting from the 6th (low E) string and moving towards the 1st (high E) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the C#m11 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 4th fret of the 5th (A) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Strum only these two strings together.

This two-note version still captures the essential sound of the C#m11 chord.

Sometimes you may want to play a C#m11 chord in a barre shape to make transitioning to and from other barre chords easier, or to get a fuller sound.

Here's how to play a C#m11 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings at the 4th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 6th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 6th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 6th (low E) string down.

The C#m11 chord is often used in jazz and neo-soul progressions to add a sophisticated, dreamy, and slightly melancholic flavor. Some common chord progressions featuring C#m11 include:

• i-7 - IV7 - V7 - i-7 (C#m11 - F#7 - G#7 - C#m11)
• i-7 - ii7 - V7 - i-7 (C#m11 - D#m7 - G#7 - C#m11)
• i-7 - VI7 - ii7 - V7 (C#m11 - A#7 - D#m7 - G#7)
• i-7 - bVII7 - bVI7 - V7 (C#m11 - C7 - B7 - G#7)
• i-7 - iv7 - VII7 - III7 (C#m11 - F#m7 - C#7 - E#7)

To master the C#m11 chord, try this simple drill: play each note of the chord individually, starting from the lowest and ascending to the highest. Focus on producing a clear, crisp sound for each note. Once you're comfortable, try playing the notes in reverse order, descending from the highest to the lowest.

Another effective drill is to play the chord as an arpeggio, plucking each note one after the other in a steady rhythm. Begin slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more familiar with the chord shape and transitions.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the C#m11 chord:

1. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room by John Mayer (C#m7, F#m7, A, B)
2. Clair de Lune by Claude Debussy
3. Angel Eyes by Frank Sinatra
4. I Fall in Love Too Easily by Chet Baker (Am, Dm7, G7, C, C#m7, F#m7, B7, E)
5. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael
6. My Funny Valentine by Richard Rodgers
7. Body and Soul by Edward Heyman, Robert Sour, Frank Eyton, and Johnny Green
8. Moonlight in Vermont by John Blackburn and Karl Suessdorf
9. All the Things You Are by Jerome Kern
10. Polka Dots and Moonbeams by Jimmy Van Heusen