Bm13 — B, D, F♯, A, C♯, G♯ — is a minor 13th chord: m7 + 9 + 13. The 13 sits a major 6th above the root, two octaves up — borrowed from Dorian or melodic minor like the m6 chord's sixth.
Intervals
The B minor 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- B→Dminor 3rd3 semitones
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→Aminor 3rd3 semitones
- A→C#major 3rd4 semitones
- C#→G#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the B minor 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the B minor 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1B
- ♭3D
- 5F#
- ♭7A
- 9C#
- 13G#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (G♯). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 13th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.
Drill it
The B minor 13 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
Open the Chord Trainer →Or try today's Etudle puzzleRelated
Frequently asked
- What notes are in a Bm13 chord?
- Bm13 contains six notes: B, D, F♯, A, C♯, G♯.
- How is Bm13 different from Bm7?
- Bm13 adds the 13th (G♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Bm13 used in music?
- Functions as a fully-extended iim13 or im13 — a complete minor sonority in modern jazz harmony.