D Dominant 13th

Notes:D – F# – A – C – E – G – B
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 D Dominant 13th piano chord (D13) consists of the notes D, F#, A, C, E, G, B. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-b7-9-11-13.

Notes

Notes:D – F# – A – C – E – G – B

D Dominant 13th Inversions

PositionNotes
Root PositionD4 – F#4 – A4 – C5 – B5 – E5 – G5
1st InversionF#4 – A4 – C5 – E5 – B5 – D6 – G5
2nd InversionA4 – C5 – E5 – G5 – B5 – D6 – F#6

Key Signature

The key of D Dominant 13th has 2 sharps: F♯, C♯.

FC

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13

The D 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.

D Dominant 13th — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the D Dominant 13th chord?

The D Dominant 13th chord (D13) contains 7 notes: D, F#, A, C, E, G, B. Formula: R-M3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13.

How is D13 used in music?

D13 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 D13?

D13 uses scale degrees 1-3-5-b7-9-11-13, giving it its distinctive sound.

Practice Tips

  • Start by placing your thumb on D and spacing remaining fingers across the chord.
  • Practice D13 slowly with separate hands before combining.
  • Listen carefully to the tension created by the altered tones in this chord.
  • Try voicing D13 in different octaves to find the most comfortable position.
  • Resolve D13 to a nearby chord to hear its function in context.