Chord Shapes

Dominant 11th

Canonical intervals: 1-3-5-b7-9-11. In practice many V11 voicings omit the 3rd to avoid the strong clash between 3 and 11, effectively giving a sus4 or “IV over V” sound (e.g. Fmaj7/G as G11). In funk, gospel and soul, dominant 11-type voicings over a bass root are common as static vamps and turnarounds, where they act more like a rich subdominant colour than a classical V. When used functionally, arrangers rely on careful voice leading so that the suspended 11 resolves or is balanced by other extensions such as 9 and 13. It is a dense colour best used in slower or groove-based contexts where the cluster can ring.