Chord chart for EM11 Guitar Chord (E major 11): Notes, Shapes & How to Play | Guitar Wiz

E major 11 guitar shapes

Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions

Showing 8 of 46 playable shapes

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E major 11 guitar chord diagram showing fretboard positions

About the chord

E major 11 guitar chord

EM11 is the E major 11 guitar chord. It uses the notes E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯, and A and the interval formula 1-3-5-7-9-11.

The E major 11 major 11 chord layers the major triad with a major seventh and eleventh A, creating a lush, expansive harmony. Its dreamy, sophisticated sound enhances major progressions with a modern, atmospheric feel, often used in jazz and ambient genres.

Also written as Emaj11.

Root note: E
Quality: major 11
Chord tones: 6
Playable shapes: 46

Chord tones

EG♯BD♯F♯A

Common guitar voicings

These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.

Shape 001102

001102

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fifth, and second strings ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Shape 024244

024244

View shape
  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 5th string in barre position.
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string.
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position.
  4. 4 Let the sixth string ring open.
  5. 5 Strum from the 6th string down.

Notes & Intervals

Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.

E Unison (Root) 1

The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.

G♯ Major Third 3

This note defines the chord's major quality and brings brightness to the sound.

B Perfect Fifth 5

The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.

D♯ Major Seventh 7

The major seventh adds a smooth, lush tension close to the root.

F♯ Major Ninth 9

The ninth opens the chord up and adds a modern, spacious color.

A Perfect Eleventh 11

The eleventh gives the chord a wider, suspended feel.

Shape details

Every shape is shown with its diagram and exact fingering instructions.

E major 11 shape 001102

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fifth, and second strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 024244

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string and 5th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  4. 4 Let the sixth string ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 004244

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string
  2. 2 Place the 3rd finger on the 4th fret of the 4th string
  3. 3 Place the 4th finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string and 2nd string in barre position
  4. 4 Let the sixth and fifth strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 004444

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 4th fret of the 1st string, 2nd string, 3rd string, and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Let the sixth and fifth strings ring open
  3. 3 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 006870

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  4. 4 Let the sixth, fifth, and first strings ring open
  5. 5 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 006877

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 6th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 7th fret of the 2nd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and fifth strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 097897

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string and 4th string in barre position
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the sixth string ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

E major 11 shape 097890

How to play this shape

  1. 1 Place the 1st finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string
  2. 2 Place the 2nd finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd string
  3. 3 Place the 3rd finger on the 9th fret of the 5th string
  4. 4 Place the 4th finger on the 9th fret of the 2nd string
  5. 5 Let the sixth and first strings ring open
  6. 6 Strum from the sixth string down to the first string

Quick answers

What notes are in EM11?

EM11 uses the notes E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯, and A. Its interval formula is 1-3-5-7-9-11.

What is another name for EM11?

EM11 is also written as Emaj11.

How do you play EM11 on guitar?

Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string. Place the 2nd finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string. Let the sixth, fifth, and second strings ring open. Strum from the 6th string down.

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