Chord
A♭ Add 11 Chord
Interactive keyboard
Highlighted notes form this chord.
Notes
A♭ · C · E♭ · D♭
Root: A♭
Intervals
1 · 3 · 5 · 11
How it is built
This chord starts on A♭ and applies the intervals 1, 3, 5, 11. The result contains 4 distinct pitch classes per octave.
Explore related combinations
Guide and musical context
About A♭ Add 11 Chord
A♭ Add 11 Chord contains A♭, C, E♭, D♭. Its sound is open and suspended while still retaining the third.
Character and sound
Open and suspended while still retaining the third.
Musical context and history
Add11 adds a fourth/eleventh to a triad without necessarily creating a full eleventh chord. It is common in pop, rock and open-string textures.
How and where it is used
Use it to preserve common tones, enrich triads and build broad voicings on harmonic instruments.
In Theory view you can hear the pitch collection without depending on a specific fingering. Then switch to Piano, Guitar, Ukulele or Mandolin to see how the same notes are physically distributed on each instrument.
Harmonic and musical relationships
From A♭, the dominant is E♭, the subdominant is C♯ and the relative minor is F. These relationships are useful starting points for progressions.
The formula on this page is 1 · 3 · 5 · 11 and, from A♭, produces the notes A♭ · C · E♭ · D♭.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the A♭ Add 11 Chord?
The notes are A♭, C, E♭, D♭.
What is its interval formula?
The formula is 1 · 3 · 5 · 11.
How does it sound and what is it used for?
Open and suspended while still retaining the third. Use it to preserve common tones, enrich triads and build broad voicings on harmonic instruments.
Can I view it on a specific instrument?
Yes. Use the selector near the top to switch between Piano, Guitar, Ukulele and Mandolin without changing the musical combination you are studying.