The minor eleventh chord extends the minor seventh with 9 and 11 (1-♭3-5-♭7-9-11). The eleventh is a perfect fourth above the root (or compound fourth above the octave), which adds a suspended, open quality on top of minor harmony. It is a staple of modal jazz, neo-soul, and modern gospel voicings where you want depth without forcing a raised eleventh.
Construction
Build from m7 by adding 9 and 11. In Cm11, core color tones include C-E♭-G-B♭-D-F (voicing choices vary widely).
Usage
Use on ii chords in major, tonic minor colors in modal tunes, and static grooves where the 11 creates motion against the minor third.
Examples
- Herbie Hancock–era modal voicings
- Neo-soul keyboard pads on minor vamps
- Gospel quartal stacks over minor bass
Play
Omit the third in dense stacks if you need clarity, keep the ♭7 present for minor-seventh identity, and voice the 11 in a register that does not fight the bass.
Ear-training cues
Minor seventh frame with an open fourth/eleventh color above.
