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Chord & Fret

C13 — dominant thirteenth

Notes on C: C – E – G – Bb – D – F – AFormula: 1 – 3 – 5 – b7 – 9 – 11 – 13

In 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.

The 13 is the full extended dominant. In practice, the third and seventh define the function while the thirteenth gives the color — the root and fifth can be omitted.

The same chord on all four instruments

C13, 0 0 0 3 1 0C1321EADBbCE
Guitar
C13, 0 0 0 3 1 0C1321EADBbCE
Electric guitar
C13, 7 5 5 8C1352113ACEBb
Cavaquinho
C13, 3 0 0 0C131BbCEA
Ukulele

Where to use it: An elegant dominant in jazz, MPB and gospel.

Every region of the neck hides more shapes of C13. In Chord & Fret, you check it note by note, playing any shape as an arpeggio; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and set a capo — the diagrams redraw above it. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. 100% offline.

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Part of the Extended family.

Other chords in this family

Cmaj9C9Cm9Cm11Cmaj9(#11)

See all chord types and qualities →