An example magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) radio frequency (RF) coil array comprises: at least one row of RF coil elements arranged radially around a cylindrical axis, wherein each row comprises: at least four RF coil elements circumferentially enclosing the cylindrical axis, wherein each RF coil element of that row is configured to operate in a Tx mode and in a Rx mode, wherein, in the Rx mode, each RF coil element of that row is tuned to a working frequency of the MRI RF coil array, and wherein, in the Tx mode, each RF coil element of that row is tuned to an additional frequency that is different than the working frequency, wherein the additional frequency is such that, a mode frequency of a selected mode resulting from coupling among the RF coil elements of that row is at the working frequency.