Chord · Piano

B Add 11 Chord · Piano

BD♯F♯E
View on: Theory PianoGuitarUkuleleMandolin

Interactive keyboard

Highlighted notes form this chord.

Notes

B · D♯ · F♯ · E

Root: B

Intervals

1 · 3 · 5 · 11

How it is built

This chord starts on B 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 B Add 11 Piano Chord

B Add 11 Piano chord contains B, D♯, F♯, E. 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.

On piano, the notes can be distributed between both hands and across different octaves. The interactive keyboard makes it easy to verify pitches and experiment with inversions or registers without changing the harmony. Everything you see and hear on this page comes from the same note set shown above.

Harmonic and musical relationships

From B, the dominant is F♯, the subdominant is E and the relative minor is A♭. These relationships are useful starting points for progressions.

The formula on this page is 1 · 3 · 5 · 11 and, from B, produces the notes B · D♯ · F♯ · E.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B Add 11 Piano chord?

The notes are B, D♯, F♯, E.

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.

How can I check it on Piano?

Use the interactive diagram on this page and press Play or Note by note. The highlighted positions, written notes and playback all use the same pitch collection.