G THIRTEENTH - PIANO

G Thirteenth chord diagram for Piano - Bass position 999

Chord composition

I III ♭VII IX XIII
Root Major third Minor seventh Major ninth Major thirteenth
G B F A E

ALL ABOUT THE G THIRTEENTH CHORD

Chord Composition

The G Thirteenth chord is composed of 5 notes :

  • G (Root)
  • B (Major third)
  • F (Minor seventh)
  • A (Major ninth)
  • E (Major thirteenth)

These notes form a dominant thirteenth chord, the ultimate extension of the 7 chord.

How to play G Thirteenth on piano

The 13 chord G Thirteenth theoretically contains 7 notes: 1-3-5-7b-9-11-13.

  • Impossible complete on piano: 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 G 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.