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Dominant 13th Chords on Piano

The dominant 13th chord is the fullest extension of the dominant 7th — adding the 9th, 11th, and 13th for a rich, complex voicing. It is the signature chord of jazz big band arrangements, soul, and sophisticated funk.

Formula: Root – 3rd – 5th – ♭7th – 9th – 11th – 13th
Scale degrees: 1–3–5–♭7–9–11–13
Sound: Rich, warm, complex, big band
Symbol: 13 (C13)

Practical voicing: Seven notes is too many for two hands. Pianists drop the 5th and 11th (which clashes with the 3rd), keeping root–third–seventh–ninth–thirteenth. The 13th (a major 6th above the root) adds warmth on top. G13 resolving to Cmaj9 is one of the most satisfying jazz cadences.

Dominant 13th Chord in All 18 Keys