How to play D#13: a 13th built on D#, with 2 ways to play it, the notes, the keys it belongs to, and songs that use it.
The first diagram is a common voicing: played at the 6th fret. An X above a string means don't play it; an O means play it open.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 6 x 6 8 8 (x = not played).
| Note | D# | Fx | C# | B# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | b7 | 13 |
D#13 is a 13th with D# as its root. The full theoretical spelling is D#, Fx, A#, C#, E#, G#, B#. This voicing omits the 5th and 9th and 11th, the tones guitarists drop first when fitting a chord onto six strings. A note on 13th chords: the root, 3rd, 7th, and 13th are generally considered sufficient in practice, although the technical definition spells the 9th and 11th as part of the chord too.
D#13 is a diatonic chord (built from the key's own notes) in 1 major key and 1 minor key. The roman numeral is the chord's place in that key; tap a key for all of its chords.
All tools are free with no download. Customize the fingering, print it, or drop it straight into a chart.
🤲 Play D#13 a way we don't show? Suggest your voicing and it may join the library (with a thank-you in your inbox).
D#13 is spelled D#, Fx, A#, C#, E#, G#, B#: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th. The common guitar voicing sounds D#, Fx, C#, B#, leaving out the 5th and 9th and 11th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: x 6 x 6 8 8 (x means the string is not played). Fret the A and G strings at the 6th fret. Add the B and high E strings at the 8th fret. Strum from the A string down, skipping the D string; the low E string stays silent.
D#13 belongs to 2 keys: Ab major (the V chord) and F minor (the VII).
