A Minor 13th
Hear the A Minor 13th chord played for you.
Am13
A – C – E – G – B – D – F♯
Formula:R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals:P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Scale Degrees:1-b3-5-b7-9-11-13
Introduction
The A Minor 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of A, C, E, G, B, D, and F♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The A Minor 13th piano chord (Am13) consists of the notes A, C, E, G, B, D, F#. It is a minor 11th chord with an added major 13th, giving it a dark and sophisticated character often used in jazz ballads and modal jazz. Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13 | Scale degrees: 1-b3-5-b7-9-11-13.
Notes
Key Signature
The key of A Minor 13th has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.
Chords in the Key of A Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — A Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
The A Minor 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.
A Minor 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the A Minor 13th chord?
Practical voicing: A–C–G–B–F# (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth).
How does Am13 differ from A13?
Am13 has minor third (C). A13 has major third (C#).
How is Am13 used in music?
Richest ii in G Major, vi in C Major. One of the most common m13 chords. Jazz, pop, lo-fi, neo-soul.
How does Am13 differ from Am11?
Adds the thirteenth (F#) for a bright top note.
What songs use Minor 13th chords?
Modal jazz, neo-soul, lo-fi. Am13 is ubiquitous.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — A–C–G–B–F#.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: A–C–G–B–F# — mostly white keys.
- Am13 may be the most common m13 chord.
- The thirteenth (F#) brightens the dark A minor sound.
- Practice Am13 → D13 → Gmaj13 for lush ii–V–I.
- Am13 is a lo-fi and neo-soul favourite.
- Rootless: C–G–B–F#.
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.