G eleventh (G11) chord on banjo

Eleventh chord (a dominant ninth plus a perfect eleventh) on G: the notes of the G11 chord are G – B – D – F – A – C.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 3easy

Position 5medium

Position 8medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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What the G11 chord sounds like

An eleventh chord has six notes in theory. In practice the third is left out (it clashes with the eleventh), so it sounds like a 9sus4 – a modern, open dominant.

Notes of the G11 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	G	root
3	B	major third (4 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
5	D	perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
7	F	minor seventh (10 semitones)
9	A	major second (2 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
11	C	perfect fourth (5 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (D): fret 3, ring finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 1, index finger (C4)
String 3 (G): open (G3)
String 4 (D): open (D3)

Position 3, barre at fret 3

String 1 (D): fret 3, index finger (F4)
String 2 (B): fret 3, index finger (D4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, little finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 3; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 5

String 1 (D): fret 5, ring finger (G4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, little finger (F4)
String 3 (G): fret 5, middle finger (C4)
String 4 (D): fret 5, index finger (G3)

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The G11 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: V11 (dominant)
A minor: VII11

Similar chords and substitutes

If G11 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯7 – tritone substitute: the same third and seventh, swapped – a jazz favourite
Bdim7 – diminished seventh on the third: a common stand-in for the dominant
G7 – a simpler dominant
G7sus4 – suspended dominant, less tense
C – where it resolves (V → I)

Simpler versions

G9 – all 5 of its notes are in this chord
G7 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord
G7sus4 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord
Gadd9 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the G11 chord?

G, B, D, F, A, C. The root is G; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major second, perfect fourth.

What is the easiest way to play G11 on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 4 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

Why is a note missing from some G11 shapes?

On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 6-note chord. In an eleventh chord the third (B) is normally left out because it clashes with the eleventh. The fifth (D) and ninth (A) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without them.

How is the G11 chord written?

The chord symbol is G11, and its full name is G eleventh.