Dbm11 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Dbm11 in Root Position

The Dbm11 chord is a six-note chord that includes the root note (Db), the minor third (Fb), the perfect fifth (Ab), the minor seventh (Cb), the major ninth (Eb), and the eleventh (Gb). This chord is commonly used as a variation or modulation for minor 7th chords. Keep reading to learn something more about this chord.

 

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Playing Extended Chords on Piano

Extended chords are commonly used in piano playing, but they can be tricky to play in their entirety due to the large number of notes involved. To make these chords more manageable, pianists often omit certain notes, such as the root or the 5th. Another technique is to split the chord between both hands, playing either full or partial chords in each hand.

How to play a Dbm11

For instance, in this scenario, you may opt to play a simplified version of Dbm11 by omitting the 5th and 9th notes. This way, you will only need to play the root note Db (which can be played using your left hand), the minor 3rd Fb, the minor 7th Cb, and the 11th note Gb with your right hand.

Db + Fb (E), Cb (B), Gb

However, even when notes are omitted or split between hands, extended chords can still create complex and dense harmonies. When these chords are inverted, the resulting clusters of notes can be particularly challenging to voice effectively.

 

Dbm11 Chord Inversions

 

The Dbm11 chord has a total of 5 inversions:

Piano Keyboard Diagrams

Chord Inversion on Piano

Understanding chord inversions is an essential aspect of music theory as it helps to explain how chords are constructed and used in progressions. When playing chord inversions on a piano, it’s important to keep in mind that the diagrams used to illustrate the order of notes may not always be practical to play.

To achieve the proper chord voicings on a piano, you need to distribute the notes of the chord across various octaves and positions on the keyboard. This often means that the basic shape of the chord’s inversions shown in diagrams may not be the most convenient or comfortable way to play the chord.

While chord inversion diagrams can be useful in comprehending the structure and sequence of notes in a chord, it’s recommended to experiment with different voicings and fingerings to find the most efficient and comfortable way to play the chord while still preserving its intended harmonic function and sound.

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Music Theory and Harmony of Dbm11

 

The Dbm11 chord is a diatonic extension of Dbm7. While it can be substituted for the Dbm7 chord in any position, it is commonly used in conjunction with it. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that certain positions may not be as effective when substituting Dbm11 for Dbm7.

 

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Building the Dbm11 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Db Major Scale

To build a minor 11th chord, you would use the root note, the minor third, the fifth, the minor seventh, the major ninth, and the eleventh from a minor scale. However, for educational purposes, it may be clearer to demonstrate its construction using a major scale, as it better illustrates the relationship between intervals and their qualities.

 

 

 

To create a Dbm11 chord, apply the formula R, m3, 5, m7, 9, 11 in the following manner:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is Db.
2. Select the 3rd interval, which is F, and then subtract a half-step to get the minor 3rd Fb (which is a natural E but we call it Fb to preserve the basic interval structure of the chord).
3. Add the 5th interval, which is Ab.
4. Add the minor 7th interval, which is the 7th (C) less a half-step, Cb (B).
5. Add the major 9th which is Eb.
6. Lastly, add the 11th Gb, which is a 4th interval at the higher octave.

By following this simple formula, you can create a minor 11th chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a minor 11th chord is by combining specific intervals – a minor 3rd, a major 3rd, a minor 3rd, a major 3rd, and a minor 3rd. This is the formula:

m3 + 3 + m3 + 3 + m3 =  minor 11th Chords

• To create a Dbm11 chord, we start with the root note Db and then add a minor 3rd interval, which is equivalent to moving up three half-steps from Db, resulting in the note E.
• Following this, we include a major 3rd interval by moving three half-steps up from E, which leads to the note Ab.
• This pattern is continued by adding another minor 3rd interval, which brings the note B, followed by a major 3rd interval, leading to the note Eb.
• Lastly, we add the 11th note (Gb), which is found by moving up a minor 3rd from Eb, to complete the chord.

 

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by Combining Chords

Another way to create minor 11th chords is to combine a minor triad with the major chord based on its minor 7th. For example, to build a Dbm11 chord, you can mix a Db minor triad (Db, Fb, Ab) with a Cb Major chord (Cb, Eb, Gb).

Db minor + Cb Major = Dbm11

When played simultaneously, these two chords form a Dbm11 chord (Db, Fb, Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb).

 

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How to Use Dbm11 in a Chord Progression

 

The Db minor 11th is an extension of the Db minor 7th, with the addition of an extra 9th and an 11th note. This makes it a much fuller, more complex, and richer chord than Dbm7.

Dbm11 in Theoretical Keys

Except for the key of Ab minor, where the Db minor chord naturally occurs, all other keys are considered theoretical. In these cases, it is common practice to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys for simplicity and practicality.

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in C# minor as C#min11
• Subdominant chord in Ab minor
• Non-diatonic Dominant chord in F# minor as C#min11

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in B Major as C#min11
• Non-diatonic Mediant chord in A Major as C#min11
• Submediant chord in E Major as C#min11

 

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Dbm11 in Db minor

Check C#m11 in C# minor

 

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Dbm11 as Subdominant Chord in Ab minor

The Db minor 11th can also be played as the subdominant chord in the key of Ab minor.

 

Dbm11 Chord Progressions as iv degree

The following chord progressions feature a Dbm11 chord as the subdominant (iv degree):

 

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

Circle Progression

 

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Dbm11 in Gb minor (Non-Diatonic)

Check C#m11 in F# minor

 

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Dbm11 in Cb Major

Check C#m11 in B Major

 

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Dbm11 in Bbb Major (Non-Diatonic)

Check C#m11 in A Major

 

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Dbm11 in Fb Major

Check C#m11 in E Major

 

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Alternative Dbm11 Nomenclature

• Db -11
• Db m11
• Db -7/11
• Db min11
• Db m11th
• Db min11th
• Db min7/11
• Db m7/9/11
• Db minor 11
• Db minor 11th
• Db minor eleventh
• Db minor ninth eleventh
• Db minor seventh ninth eleventh

 

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