About the C♯13 chord
The dominant thirteenth adds the thirteenth, the same note as the sixth, to a seventh chord. On guitar the fifth and ninth are usually left out. It is a big, warm jazz and blues chord. The symbol for it is C♯13. (also written D♭13)
How to play C♯13
- Lay your index finger flat across the top 5 strings at fret 4, pressing just behind the fret.
- Put your middle finger on the D string at fret 6.
- Put your ring finger on the B string at fret 6.
- Put your little finger on the high E string at fret 6.
- Strum and don't play the low E string.
1 index · 2 middle · 3 ring · 4 little
Chords in the key of C♯ major
These are the chords built on each note of the C♯ major scale, so they all sound good together with C♯13. The Roman numeral under each one is its position in the key.
Other C♯ chords
C♯13 chord questions
What notes are in a C♯13 chord?
C♯13 is made of C♯, E♯, G♯, B and A♯. In intervals that is 1, 3, 5, ♭7, 13 above the root, C♯.
What is the easiest way to play C♯13?
The first shape above is the most common one: x 4 6 4 6 6 from the low E string to the high E, where x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. Start there, and try the other shapes once it feels comfortable.
Is C♯13 a barre chord?
The main shape uses a barre, where one finger holds down several strings at once. Press just behind the fret and roll the finger slightly onto its side.