E Minor 13th
Hear the E Minor 13th chord played for you.
Em13
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-b3-5-b7-9-11-13
Introduction
The E Minor 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of E, G, B, D, F♯, A, and C♯. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The E Minor 13th piano chord (Em13) consists of the notes E, G, B, D, F#, A, C#. 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 E Minor 13th has 1 sharp.
F♯
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 Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the E minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — E Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
The E 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.
E Minor 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the E Minor 13th chord?
Practical voicing: E–G–D–F#–C#.
How does Em13 differ from E13?
Em13 has minor third (G). E13 has major third (G#).
How is Em13 used in music?
Richest ii in D Major, iii in C Major. Folk-jazz, neo-soul.
How does Em13 differ from Em11?
Adds the thirteenth (C#) for brightness.
What songs use Minor 13th chords?
Modal jazz, neo-soul.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — E–G–D–F#–C#.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: E–G–D–F#–C#.
- Em13 crosses into folk-jazz and acoustic.
- The thirteenth (C#) brightens the dark minor.
- Practice Em13 → A13 → Dmaj13.
- Rootless: G–D–F#–C#.
- Compare with Em11.
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.