D Major 13th
Hear the D Major 13th chord played for you.
Dmaj13
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:1-3-5-7-9-11-13
Introduction
The D Major 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of D, F♯, A, C♯, E, G, and B. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The D Major 13th piano chord (Dmaj13) consists of the notes D, F#, A, C#, E, G, B. 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 D Major 13th has 2 sharps.
F♯C♯
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 D Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the D major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — D Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
The D 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.
D Major 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the D Major 13th chord?
Practical voicing: D–F#–C#–E–B (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth).
How does Dmaj13 differ from D13?
Dmaj13 has major seventh (C#). D13 has minor seventh (C).
How is Dmaj13 used in music?
Richest tonic in D Major. Jazz, folk-jazz, acoustic.
How does Dmaj13 differ from Dmaj9?
Adds the thirteenth (B) for sweet warmth.
What songs use Major 13th chords?
Jazz ballads, bossa nova, neo-soul.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — D–F#–C#–E–B is practical.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: D–F#–C#–E–B.
- Dmaj13 is the richest tonic in D.
- The thirteenth (B) gives warmth.
- Practice Em11 → A13 → Dmaj13.
- Rootless: F#–C#–E–B.
- Beautiful in acoustic jazz.
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.