Construction
C♭ Minor 13th = Root + Minor 3rd + Perfect 5th + Minor 7th + Major 2nd + Perfect 4th + Major 6th = C♭, E♭♭, G♭, B♭♭, D♭, F♭, A♭
| Note | Interval | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| C♭ | Root | 1 |
| E♭♭ | Minor 3rd | ♭3 |
| G♭ | Perfect 5th | 5 |
| B♭♭ | Minor 7th | ♭7 |
| D♭ | Major 2nd | 9 |
| F♭ | Perfect 4th | 11 |
| A♭ | Major 6th | 13 |
Key Signature
A chord has no key signature of its own, but the C♭ Minor 13th is the tonic (i) chord of C♭ Minor, which shares the signature of its relative major, D Major: 2 sharps (F♯, C♯).
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 C♭ Minor
These are the triads built on each degree of C♭ Minor:
| Degree | Numeral | Chord | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | i | C♭ Minor | Minor |
| 2 | ii° | D♭ Diminished | Diminished |
| 3 | III | E♭♭ Major | Major |
| 4 | iv | F♭ Minor | Minor |
| 5 | v | G♭ Minor | Minor |
| 6 | VI | A♭♭ Major | Major |
| 7 | VII | B♭♭ Major | Major |
Scales That Include the C♭ Minor 13th
- A Major (ii)
- F# Minor (iv)
- B Dorian (i)
- C# Phrygian (vii)
- D Lydian (vi)
- E Mixolydian (v)
- F# Aeolian (iv)
- G# Locrian (iii)
Same Notes, Other Names
The notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D♭ – F♭ – A♭ 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:
C♭ Minor 13th : Frequently Asked Questions
What is the C♭ Minor 13th chord on piano?
The C♭ Minor 13th chord contains the notes C♭ – E♭♭ – G♭ – B♭♭ – D♭ – F♭ – A♭. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the Cb Minor 13th chord?
Enharmonic equivalent of Bm13. Same notes: Cb/B, Ebb/D, Bbb/A, Db/C#, Ab/G#.
How does Cbm13 differ from Cb13?
Cbm13 has minor third. Cb13 has major third.
How is Cbm13 used in music?
Enharmonic of Bm13. Musicians use Bm13 in practice.
What songs use Minor 13th chords?
Modal jazz, neo-soul. Sound identical regardless of spelling.
How does Cbm13 differ from Cbm11?
Adds the thirteenth for brightness.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No: practical voicing drops fifth and eleventh.