Cm11 chord on electric guitar
Cm11 is the minor eleventh chord: C, Eb, G, Bb, D and F (1–b3–5–b7–9–11). On electric guitar, the diagram shape is 8 8 8 8 8 8, with C in the bass.
On the electric guitar a chord needs only a few clear notes — the amp sustains them and fills the space, so you mute the strings you are not playing and let the tone carry the rest. In this Cm11 voicing the bass is C and the shape sits at fret 8. Plugged into an amp, each chord sustains for as long as you hold it, and the tone — clean or driven — shapes the whole sound.
Notes and formula of Cm11
Notes in Cm11: C – Eb – G – Bb – D – FFormula: 1 – b3 – 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
Perfect for modal vamps — which simply means two chords circling each other, in no hurry to resolve, creating a suspended mood. As a resting chord in a minor key it sounds open and airy, almost like a landscape.
See also
Part of the Extended family.