How to play C♯7(add11)/B chord on guitar
Shape x24121
Shape characteristics
Closed voicing
Every sounding string is fretted, with no open strings. Tight, controllable tone that responds well to palm muting and dynamic picking.
First position · fret 1-4
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.
Five-string voicing
One string muted. Keeps a full low end without overlapping awkwardly with a bassist or second guitar.
Bass: B · Top: E♯
The 7th (or equivalent upper tone) is in the bass, producing a suspended, leading quality that naturally wants to resolve downward.
Compared to Shape 744464 , this voicing uses a barre chord and sits higher on the neck (starting at fret 4) and adds 1 more ringing string for a fuller sound.
How to play this shape
- 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string and 3rd string in barre position
- 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string
- 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string
- 4 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
Frequently Asked Questions
What does "x24121" mean?
The sequence x24121 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 C♯7(add11)/B shape anywhere else?
Yes! This specific layout is just one way to voice a C♯7(add11)/B chord. You can find all other variations in our chord shape library for C♯7(add11)/B. Most guitarists choose different shapes based on whether they want a "brighter" or "deeper" sound, or which chord they are transitioning from.
Why do some strings have an 'x'?
Strings marked with an 'x' should not ring out. These notes are excluded because they don't belong to the C♯7(add11)/B chord or would clash with this specific voicing. You can mute these strings by lightly touching them with a finger that is already pressing a neighboring fret.
Other shapes
Showing 7 of 7 playable shapes