How to Play an A Dominant 7/6 11th on Guitar

The A Dominant 7/6 sharp 11th chord is a jazz sonority that is very similar to a Dominant 13 sharp 11th chord. The difference is that the Dominant 7/6 variety lacks the ninth degree of the scale. This is a great sonority if you are looking to expand your chordal vocabulary. In this article you will learn how to construct and play a Dominant 7/6 sharp 11th chord of your own.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• guitar

1. Play the open A string. Strike the fifth string (A string.) "Open" means to play a string without fretting a note. This is the note A, the root of the chord.

2. Using your forefinger, press down the 13th fret of the fourth string (D string.) This is the note D sharp, the sharp 11th degree of the A major scale. This note gives the chord its very dissonant quality.

3. Play the open G string. Strike the third string (G string.) This is the note G. It is the flat seventh degree of the A major scale. This note gives the chord its "dominant" quality.

4. Place your ring finger on the 14th fret of the second string (B string.) This is the note C sharp, the third degree of the A major scale.

5. Place your pinky on the 14th fret of the first string (high E string.) This is the note F sharp, the 13th degree of the A major scale.

6. Strum the chord. Play all of the notes from the A string to the high E string in one sweeping motion. That's it. You now know how to play an A Dominant 7/6 sharp eleventh chord on the guitar!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't just learn how to play the chord physically. Mentally be aware of the notes that make up the chord. This will make you a much better player and help you in the future if you want to be able to improvise well on the guitar.