B♭ Major 13th
Also Known As
Hear the B♭ Major 13th chord played for you.
B♭maj13
B♭ – D – F – A – C – E♭ – G
Formula:R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals:P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
Scale Degrees:1-3-5-7-9-11-13
Introduction
The B♭ Major 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of B♭, D, F, A, C, E♭, and G. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The Bb Major 13th piano chord (Bbmaj13) consists of the notes Bb, D, F, A, C, Eb, G. It is a major 11th chord with an added major 13th, giving it a lush, complete character that includes all seven diatonic scale degrees. Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13 | Scale degrees: 1-3-5-7-9-11-13.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of Bb Major 13th has 2 flats.
B♭E♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of Bb Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Bb major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — B♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
The B♭ Major 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.
B♭ Major 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Bb Major 13th chord?
Practical voicing: Bb–D–A–C–G (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth).
How does Bbmaj13 differ from Bb13?
Bbmaj13 has major seventh (A). Bb13 has minor seventh (Ab).
How is Bbmaj13 used in music?
Richest tonic in Bb Major — one of the most common jazz keys. Big band, jazz standards, R&B.
How does Bbmaj13 differ from Bbmaj9?
Adds the thirteenth (G) for sweet warmth.
What songs use Major 13th chords?
Jazz standards, big band, neo-soul.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — Bb–D–A–C–G.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: Bb–D–A–C–G.
- Bbmaj13 is the richest tonic in Bb — a standard jazz key.
- The thirteenth (G) gives warmth.
- Practice Cm11 → F13 → Bbmaj13.
- Rootless: D–A–C–G.
- Essential in big band and jazz standards.
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.