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Guitar chords · Dominant 13th

G13 chord on guitar

G13 (G 13th) has six notes: G, B, D, F, A and E, the , 3, 5, ♭7, 9 and 13.

Shapes

How to play G13

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

G13 has no common . Play it as the E shape at 3 or the A shape at fret 10. A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • E shape · fret 3

    3fr××R♭7313GFBE
  • A shape · fret 10

    10fr××R♭7313GFBE
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes G13 dominant 13th

A 13th chord stacks the 13th (the 6th, an up) on a chord. Guitarists play the , 3rd, ♭7th and 13th: the 5th and 9th are optional, and the 11th is left out because it clashes with the 3rd. It is a rich dominant heard in jazz, blues and funk.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.
  • 11Left out: players skip it because it clashes.

The 3rd, the ♭7th and the 13th make G13 a 13th chord; you can leave out the 5th and the 9th. The 11th is left out: it clashes with the 3rd.

  1. GRroot
  2. B3essential
  3. D5optional
  4. F♭7essential
  5. A9optional
  6. E13essential
EADGBE0135791215GGGGGGGGGEFABDEFABDEFABDEFABDEFABDEFABDEFABDEFABDEF
  • G, the root
  • Other chord tones

G13 usually resolves to C or Cm, the chord a 5th below: the V13–I move.

Keys

Keys with G13

G13 belongs to two keys: C major (V13) and A minor (VII13).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

G13 over another bass note

A keeps G13 on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • G13/B

    G13 with its 3rd, B, in the bass.

  • G13/D

    G13 with its 5th, D, in the bass.

  • G13/F

    G13 with its ♭7th, F, in the bass.

Questions

G13, in short

What notes are in the G13 chord?
G13 (G 13th) has six notes: G, B, D, F, A and E, the , 3, 5, ♭7, 9 and 13.
How do you play G13 on guitar?
G13 has no common . Play it as the E shape at 3 or the A shape at fret 10.
What key is G13 in?
G13 belongs to two keys: C major (V13) and A minor (VII13).
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