How to play E13: a 13th built on E, 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: an open-position shape using 2 open strings, played near the nut. 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: 0 x 0 1 2 x (x = not played).
| Note | E | G# | D | C# |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Interval | R | 3 | b7 | 13 |
E13 is a 13th with E as its root. The full theoretical spelling is E, G#, B, D, F#, A, C#. 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.
E13 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.
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E13 is spelled E, G#, B, D, F#, A, C#: the root, 3rd, 5th, flat 7th, 9th, 11th, 13th. The common guitar voicing sounds E, G#, D, C#, leaving out the 5th and 9th and 11th.
Frets from the low E string to the high E string: 0 x 0 1 2 x (x means the string is not played). Fret the G string at the 1st fret. Add the B string at the 2nd fret. The low E and D strings ring open. Strum from the low E string down, skipping the A and high E strings.
E13 belongs to 2 keys: A major (the V chord) and F# minor (the VII).
