C Dominant 13th
Hear the C Dominant 13th chord played for you.
C13
C – E – G – B♭ – D – F – A
Formula:R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-b7-9-11-13
Introduction
The C Dominant 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of C, E, G, B♭, D, F, and A. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The C Dominant 13th piano chord (C13) consists of the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, F, A. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9-11-13.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of C Dominant 13th has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.
Chords in the Key of C Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — C Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
The C Dominant 13th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13 show the distance between each note in the chord.
C Dominant 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Dominant 13th chord?
The C Dominant 13th chord (C13) contains 7 notes: C, E, G, Bb, D, F, A. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13.
How is C13 used in music?
C13 is used in jazz, fusion, and contemporary music to add harmonic color. It appears as a dominant or tonic chord depending on context.
What is the scale degree formula for C13?
C13 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9-11-13, giving it its distinctive sound.
Practice Tips
- Start by placing your thumb on C and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
- Practice C13 slowly with separate hands before combining.
- Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
- Try voicing C13 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
- Resolve C13 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.
Related Tools
Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.