C Minor 13th
Hear the C Minor 13th chord played for you.
Cm13
C – E♭ – G – B♭ – D – F – A
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 C Minor 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of C, E♭, G, B♭, D, F, and A. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The C Minor 13th piano chord (Cm13) consists of the notes C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F, A. 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 C Minor 13th has 3 flats.
B♭E♭A♭
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 C Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — C Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
The C 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.
C Minor 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the C Minor 13th chord?
The C Minor 13th chord (Cm13) theoretically contains seven notes: C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F, A. Practical voicing: C–Eb–Bb–D–A (root, third, seventh, ninth, thirteenth). Drop fifth and eleventh.
How does Cm13 differ from C13?
Cm13 has a minor third (Eb). C13 has a major third (E). Cm13 is dark and sophisticated; C13 is bright and driving.
How does Cm13 differ from Cm11?
Cm13 adds the thirteenth (A) on top. The thirteenth brightens the chord — Cm11 is dark and full; Cm13 adds a sweet, warm top note to the darkness.
How is Cm13 used in music?
Cm13 appears in jazz ballads, modal jazz, neo-soul, and film scoring. It is the richest minor chord available and creates a dark yet sophisticated sound.
What songs use Minor 13th chords?
Minor 13th voicings appear in modal jazz, neo-soul, and film scores. Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter, and modern neo-soul artists use m13 for maximum harmonic richness.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — drop the fifth and eleventh. C–Eb–Bb–D–A is the standard voicing.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: C–Eb–Bb–D–A (drop fifth and eleventh).
- Cm13 is the richest minor chord — dark with a sweet thirteenth on top.
- Compare Cm13 with C13 — minor vs major third changes everything.
- The thirteenth (A) brightens the otherwise dark minor sound.
- Practice Cm13 as a rich i chord in C minor for modal jazz.
- Rootless: Eb–Bb–D–A for jazz comping.
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.