How to play Bmin/maj11/E chord on guitar
Shape 044436
Shape characteristics
Barre chord
Your first finger flattens across multiple strings at the same fret. Movable up and down the neck to any key without changing the shape.
First position · fret 3-6
Sits near the nut where frets are widest. Lower string tension makes it easier to fret cleanly, a comfortable choice for singer-songwriter strumming and beginner-friendly progressions.
Full six-string voicing
All six strings ring, giving you the biggest, most resonant version of this chord, ideal for strumming and solo acoustic contexts.
Bass: E · Top: A♯
An extended chord tone is in the bass, giving the voicing a distinctive colour beyond the standard inversions.
Compared to Shape 020322 , this voicing uses a partial barre and sits lower on the neck (starting at fret 2).
How to play this shape
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string
- 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string, 4th string, and 5th string in barre position
- 3 Place the 4th finger on the 6th fret of the 1st string
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "044436" mean?
The sequence 044436 is a highly compact guitar chord notation. It represents the fret played on each of the 6 strings, reading left-to-right from the thickest (lowest pitch) string to the thinnest (highest pitch) string: E, A, D, G, B, e.
- x means the string is muted or skipped entirely.
- 0 means the string is played "open" (without pressing over a fret).
- 1-9 represent standard fret numbers 1 to 9.
- a, b, c... represent frets 10, 11, 12, and higher (where a=10, b=11, c=12).
Can I play this Bmin/maj11/E shape anywhere else?
Yes! This specific layout is just one way to voice a Bmin/maj11/E chord. You can find all other variations in our chord shape library for Bmin/maj11/E. Most guitarists choose different shapes based on whether they want a "brighter" or "deeper" sound, or which chord they are transitioning from.
How do I stop my fingers from buzzing?
Since this shape uses open strings (marked with '0'), make sure your fingers are arched like a "claw" so they don't accidentally brush against the open strings. Press down firmly just behind the metal fret wires for the clearest sound.
Other shapes
Showing 8 of 17 playable shapes