Construction
D♭ Major 13th = Root + Major 3rd + Perfect 5th + Major 7th + Major 2nd + Perfect 4th + Major 6th = D♭, F, A♭, C, E♭, G♭, B♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| D♭ | Root | 1 |
| F | Major 3rd | 3 |
| A♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| C | Major 7th | 7 |
| E♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
| G♭ | Perfect 4th | 11 |
| B♭ | Major 6th | 13 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the D♭ Major 13th is the tonic (I) chord of D♭ Major, whose key signature has 5 flats (B♭, E♭, A♭, D♭, G♭).
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭
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 D♭ Major
These are the triads built on each degree of D♭ Major:
Scales That Include the D♭ Major 13th
- Db Major (I)
- Bb Minor (III)
- Eb Dorian (VII)
- F Phrygian (VI)
- Gb Lydian (V)
- Ab Mixolydian (IV)
- Bb Aeolian (III)
- C Locrian (II)
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes D♭ – F – A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭ aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell the following:
D♭ Major 13th : Frequently Asked Questions
What is the D♭ Major 13th chord on piano?
The D♭ Major 13th chord contains the notes D♭ – F – A♭ – C – E♭ – G♭ – B♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Db Major 13th chord?
Practical voicing: Db–F–C–Eb–Bb (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth). Drop fifth and eleventh.
How does Dbmaj13 differ from Db13?
Dbmaj13 has major seventh (C). Db13 has minor seventh (Cb).
How is Dbmaj13 used in music?
Richest tonic in Db Major. Jazz ballads, R&B, neo-soul. Db is a favourite vocal key.
How does Dbmaj13 differ from Dbmaj9?
Adds the thirteenth (Bb) for a sweet, warm top note.
What songs use Major 13th chords?
Jazz ballads, bossa nova, neo-soul.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No: Db–F–C–Eb–Bb is the practical voicing.