Chord & FretC11 on cavaquinho
On the cavaquinho, four steel strings tuned D–G–B–D pack the chord into a small, bright space — every finger counts. In this C11 voicing the bass is F and the shape runs from fret 1 to 3, ringing 1 open string. Because this instrument has fewer strings than C11 has notes, one note — usually the fifth — is normally dropped without losing the chord's identity. Its four steel strings give a bright, sharp attack that cuts through the mix and drives the beat.
Notes in C11: C – E – G – Bb – D – FFormula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 – 9 – 11In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.
Where to use it: Gospel, soul and funk; a dominant that would rather wait than resolve.
Every region of the neck hides more shapes of C11 on cavaquinho. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.
See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →Part of the Extended family.