How to play the Dm11 chord on guitar

The Dm11 chord, pronounced "D minor eleventh," is a rich and complex chord that adds depth to musical compositions. Notable for its melancholic and jazzy sound, the Dm11 chord is widely used in genres such as jazz, blues, and neo-soul. It often appears in songs that require a sophisticated harmonic structure, creating an introspective and emotionally evocative atmosphere.

The most popular way to play a Dm11 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 5th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Dm11 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 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start from the 5th (A) string and strum downwards, hitting all the strings except the 6th (low E) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Dm11 chord, try playing a regular Dm chord (x57765) and adding your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string. This adds the 11th note to the chord without requiring a barre chord shape.

Playing the Dm11 chord as a barre chord can make it easier to transition to and from other barre chords, and it frees up your fingers to add embellishments or melody notes.

Here's how to play a Dm11 barre chord:

1. Place 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 all six strings from the 5th fret.

The Dm11 chord adds a jazzy, sophisticated flavor to progressions, often evoking a melancholic or introspective emotional atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring Dm11 include:

• i - iv - VII - III - vi (Dm11 - Gm7 - C7 - F∆ - Bø7)
• i - VII - VI - VII (Dm11 - C7 - B♭∆ - C7) Used in "Stella by Starlight"
• i - iv - VII - III - vi - ii - V - i (Dm11 - Gm7 - C7 - F∆ - Bø7 - Em7♭5 - A7 - Dm11) Used in "Round Midnight"
• i - VI - ii - V (Dm11 - B♭∆ - Em7♭5 - A7)
• i - v - i - IV (Dm11 - Am7 - Dm11 - G7)

To master the Dm11 chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, try playing the notes in pairs, such as D-F, F-A, A-C, C-E, and E-G. This will help you transition smoothly between the notes.

Next, practice playing the notes in ascending and descending order, starting with D and working your way up to G, then back down. As you become more confident, try playing the notes in different sequences and rhythms to develop your dexterity and familiarity with the chord.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Dm11 chord.

1. Flamenco Sketches by Miles Davis (Dm11, Am11, Bm11, Cm11, F#m11)
2. Rainy Night in Georgia by Brook Benton (Dm11, G7, C, Gm7, C7, F, A7sus4, Fmaj7)
3. Bittersweet by Lianne La Havas (Dm11, Cmaj7, Am7)
4. Who Are You by Tom Misch (Dm11, Am7, Em7, Bm7)
5. I'm a Fool to Want You by Billie Holiday (Dm11, A7b9, Gm, Dm6, Bb13, A7)
6. Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon (Dm11, Dm7, G7, Gm7, C7, Am7, D7, Bb/D, G/D)
7. Song for My Father by Horace Silver (Dm11, F9sus4, F9, Bb13sus4, Bbmaj9)
8. Maiden Voyage by Herbie Hancock (Dm11, Ebm11, Em11, Fm11)
9. All Blues by Miles Davis (Dm11, Gm11, Am11)
10. Tutu by Miles Davis (Dm11, Am11, F/G, Bbmaj7#11)