B Major 13th
Hear the B Major 13th chord played for you.
Bmaj13
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 B Major 13th piano chord (Bmaj13) consists of the notes B, D#, F#, A#, C#, E, 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 B Major 13th has 5 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of B Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the B 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 B Major 13th chord?
Practical voicing: B–D#–A#–C#–G# (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth).
How does Bmaj13 differ from B13?
Bmaj13 has major seventh (A#). B13 has minor seventh (A).
How is Bmaj13 used in music?
Richest tonic in B Major. Contemporary jazz, fusion.
How does Bmaj13 differ from Bmaj9?
Adds the thirteenth (G#) for warmth.
What songs use Major 13th chords?
Jazz, fusion, atmospheric music.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — B–D#–A#–C#–G#.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: B–D#–A#–C#–G#.
- Bmaj13 in contemporary jazz and fusion.
- The thirteenth (G#) gives warmth.
- Practice C#m11 → F#13 → Bmaj13.
- Mostly sharp keys — distinctive shape.
- Bmaj13 and Cbmaj13 are enharmonic.
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.