It turns out my screen name has a twin

[Em7add11]

Em7add11 = Em11 (on guitar)

This comes from the fact that you can only reach a certain range of notes for any given chord. To play the 7th and 11th tones means that to add the 9th tone into the mix would be awkward and more than a little difficult in a lot of positions. So, traditionally, the 1 b3 5 b7 11 chord in the key of E is called Em11 on the guitar, since the akward 9th note is discarded.

However, this does not mean that my notation is wrong (as was suggested by someone on Paltalk :tongue:) It appears to be due to laziness on the part of guitar music writers more than anything else why Em11 was chosen over Em7add11. Em7add11 is the only truly correct notation of what notes are actually being played.

To see what is being changed with the guitar notation, an example is in order:

Em9 (piano) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 9
Em9 (guitar) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 9

Em11 (piano) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 9 11
Em11 (guitar) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 11

Em13 (piano) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 9 11 13
Em13 (guitar) = 1 b3 5 b7 + 13

So Em11, as it was originated, becomes Em9add11 to sound the same on a guitar. Rather than reinvent the wheel, I will continue to use the original (and correct) notation for my screen name.

Cordially,
Em7 + 11

[Xavier]

:huh:

[Em7add11]

:huh:
Indeed.

[Xavier]

So... In order to have the same sound (em11) on the piano you actually have to play Em7 + 11.

E Minor 7th interval plus 11th note?

[Em7add11]

The actual Minor 11th chord contains all the odd numbered intervals from 1-11:

1 b3 5 b7 9 11

The guitar version just takes the minor 7th chord and adds in whatever number is on the end.

So for the guitar it's:

1 b3 5 b7 + 11 (no 9th)

Which is wrong in all honesty. It's a handy shorthand notation for what it's trying to emulate, but not 100% accurate.

So.....yes.

[Xavier]

Thus, Em11 is NOT Em7Add11...

And that's the point of the thread?

[Em7add11]

Thus, Em11 is NOT Em7Add11...

And that's the point of the thread?
The point is that I'm right.

:angel:

So again......yes. :hehe: