D11 Ukulele Chord
Trying to get the D11 chord under your fingers? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play D11, step by step.
- Notes: D, Gb, A, C, E and G
- Frets: 0 2 2 3
- Tuning: g C E A
D11 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 11th
- Also known as
- D eleventh
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11
- Intervals
- D (root), Gb (major 3rd), A (perfect 5th), C (minor 7th), E (9th), G (11th)
- Notes
- D, Gb, A, C, E and G
- Frets
- 0 2 2 3
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the D11 chord
Here is the D11 chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Put your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the A string.
- Leave the g string open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the D11 chord?
The D11 chord is built from six notes: D, Gb, A, C, E and G (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th, 9th and 11th). That flat seventh makes a dominant 7th restless. It leans forward and wants to resolve to the next chord, which is why it turns up all over blues and folk. New to these? Have a read about seventh chords.
Ukulele songs that use the D11 chord
Want to go further?
Once D11 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try D7, Dmaj7, Dm and D. D11 pairs most often with G, A and Bm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.