Chord and 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 and 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 and Fret →Part of the Extended family.