E Major 13th
Hear the E Major 13th chord played for you.
Emaj13
E – G♯ – B – D♯ – F♯ – A – C♯
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 E Major 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, major third, perfect fifth, major seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The E Major 13th piano chord (Emaj13) consists of the notes E, G#, B, D#, F#, A, C#. 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 E Major 13th has 4 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯D♯
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 E Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the E major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — E Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-M3-P5-M7-M9-P11-M13
The E 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.
E Major 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Major 13th chord?
Practical voicing: E–G#–D#–F#–C# (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth).
How does Emaj13 differ from E13?
Emaj13 has major seventh (D#). E13 has minor seventh (D).
How is Emaj13 used in music?
Richest tonic in E Major. Contemporary jazz, fusion, dream pop.
How does Emaj13 differ from Emaj9?
Adds the thirteenth (C#) for sweet warmth.
What songs use Major 13th chords?
Jazz, fusion, atmospheric music.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — E–G#–D#–F#–C# is practical.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: E–G#–D#–F#–C#.
- Emaj13 in dream pop and atmospheric music.
- The thirteenth (C#) gives warmth.
- Practice F#m11 → B13 → Emaj13.
- Rootless: G#–D#–F#–C#.
- Sustain with reverb for atmospheric effect.
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.