F Minor 13th
Hear the F Minor 13th chord played for you.
Fm13
F – A♭ – C – E♭ – G – B♭ – D
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 F Minor 13th chord is a seven-note chord made up of F, A♭, C, E♭, G, B♭, and D. It is built from a root, minor third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth.
The F Minor 13th piano chord (Fm13) consists of the notes F, Ab, C, Eb, G, Bb, D. 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 F Minor 13th has 4 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭
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 F Minor
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the F minor scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
i — F Minor (minor)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
Intervals: P1-m3-P5-m7-M9-P11-M13
The F 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.
F Minor 13th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the F Minor 13th chord?
Practical voicing: F–Ab–Eb–G–D.
How does Fm13 differ from F13?
Fm13 has minor third (Ab). F13 has major third (A).
How is Fm13 used in music?
Richest ii in Eb Major, iv in C minor. Jazz, gospel, neo-soul.
How does Fm13 differ from Fm11?
Adds the thirteenth (D) for brightness.
What songs use Minor 13th chords?
Modal jazz, neo-soul, gospel.
Do I need to play all seven notes?
No — F–Ab–Eb–G–D.
Practice Tips
- Practical voicing: F–Ab–Eb–G–D.
- Fm13 as ii in Eb — a common jazz key.
- The thirteenth (D) brightens the dark chord.
- Practice Fm13 → Bb13 → Ebmaj13.
- Fm13 as iv in C minor adds depth.
- Rootless: Ab–Eb–G–D.
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.