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Major 13th chords

The Major 13th chord is most common in jazz and can function as a substitution chord for major 7th and major 9th. It can also be used in pop and similar styles when added tone color is wished for. Diagrams in open position and as movable shapes for major 13 chords are presented.

Open maj13 chords

Comments

At least one of the notes in the chords are omitted in the chords. The sixth note in the chord, the 11th, is the one that is most often left out. In the Cmaj13, for example, G (5th), D (9th) and F (11th) are omitted. The diagram picturing Cmaj13 can also be played as X32203 with the 5th (G) included.

Alternative chord shapes

Here are alternative versions in open position for this chord category:

Cmaj13: X30200
Dmaj13/B: X20222
Emaj13: 021120 / 046800
Fmaj13: 100010
Gmaj13: 302002
Amaj13: X04120
Bmaj13/C#: X44304

Movable maj13 chords

Comments

The shape presented above is movable and is all you need to remember. There are, of course, other versions as well, which can be seen below.

Major 13th with flats and sharps

Additional chords in this category:

C sharp / D flat maj13: 9 X 10 10 11 X
D sharp / E flat maj13: 11 X 12 12 13 X
F sharp / G flat maj13: 2X334X
G sharp / A flat maj13: 4X556X
A sharp / B flat maj13: 6X778X

Chord formula

The 13th chord is built with the formula 1-3-5-7-9-(11)-13 (root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, major 7th, major 9th, perfect 11th and major 13th). The 11th is mentioned in the formula, but is usually excluded.

Comments

It's possible to include the first strings as well, by bar the two highest strings by the little finger. Notice the similarity with the 13 dominant chord shape.

Alternative chord shape

It's handy to have a second shape to use when the situation calls for it.

Major 13th with the root on 5th string:



An easier shape for major 13th with the root on the 5th string is X35455 (Cmaj13), similar to one of the major 7th shapes. A third way is X3X455 (Cmaj13), with the 5th omitted as well.

Major 13th chord inversions

A Major 13th chord is possible to play in numerous configurations including six inversions (it's also common to combine inversions with omitting notes for this chord type).

C major 13th can be used as an example:

• C - E - G - B - D - F - A (root position)
• E - C - G - B - D - F - A (1st inversion)
• G - C - E - B - D - F - A (2nd inversion)
• B - C - E - G - D - F - A (3rd inversion)
• D - C - E - G - B - F - A (4th inversion)
• F - C - E - G - B - D - A (5th inversion)
• A - C - E - G - B - D - F (6th inversion)

To indicate that a chord is played inverted it is written as slash sign before the bass note. For example, the first inversion of the Cmaj13 chord is written Cmaj13/E. Some examples follow below in short notation:

Cmaj13/E: 030200
Cmaj13/G: 332200
Cmaj13/B: X220210
Dmaj13/F#: 200420
Dmaj13/A: XX0422
Emaj13/F#: 201120
Emaj13/B: X21120
Fmaj13/G: 300010
Fmaj13/C: X33230
Fmaj13/E: 000022
Gmaj13/B: X24030
Gmaj13/E: 004321
Gmaj13/F#: 200000
Amaj13/E: 002122
Amaj13/G#: 404420
Bmaj13/F#: 211100

For more chord diagrams, see The Chord Reference ebook.

Chord progressions

Progressions including this chord type:

Dm7 - G9 - Cmaj13

Am7 - Fmaj9 - Cmaj13

A11 - Cmaj9 - Gmaj13

D6/9 - C6/9 - Gmaj13

Major 13th chords work as I and IV, but not as V chords (atonal). So, for example, in C major key, Cmaj13 and Fmaj13 are viable (diatonic) options.

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