A# THIRTEENTH - GUITAR
Bass position 1
Bass position 6
Chord composition
| I | III | ♭VII | IX | XIII |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Root | Major third | Minor seventh | Major ninth | Major thirteenth |
| A# | D | G# | C | G |
ALL ABOUT THE A# THIRTEENTH CHORD
Chord Composition
The A# Thirteenth chord is composed of 5 notes :
- A# (Root)
- D (Major third)
- G# (Minor seventh)
- C (Major ninth)
- G (Major thirteenth)
These notes form a dominant thirteenth chord, the ultimate extension of the 7 chord.
How to play A# Thirteenth on guitar
The 13 chord A# Thirteenth theoretically contains 7 notes: 1-3-5-7b-9-11-13.
- Impossible complete on guitar: select essential notes (1-3-7-13 or 3-7-9-13)
- Classic jazz sound: the richest dominant chord
- Sophisticated blues: replaces simple 7 chord
- Swing and big band: signature color of traditional jazz
Common voicings: keep 7th and 13th (essential), add 3rd, and omit 5/9/11 depending on context.
Jazz color
The 13 chord defines jazz sound:
- Swing era: final chord of big bands
- Bebop: enriched dominant in turnarounds
- Jazz blues: maximum blues sophistication
Common uses of A# Thirteenth
The 13 chord crowns dominants:
- Jazz standards: V13 in ii-V-I progressions
- Jazz blues: replaces all 7 chords
- Swing: iconic final chord
- Bossa nova: dominant enrichment
Styles
Swing and big band: defines swing era sound.
Bebop: enriched dominant in fast progressions.
Jazz blues: maximum sophistication of traditional blues.