E13 — E, G♯, B, D, F♯, C♯ — is a dominant 13th chord: dominant 7 + 9 + 13. The 13 is a major 6th above the root, an octave up; the chord is the standard big-V chord in jazz cadences.
Intervals
The E dominant 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
- G#→Bminor 3rd3 semitones
- B→Dminor 3rd3 semitones
- D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
- F#→C#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the E dominant 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the E dominant 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1E
- 3G#
- 5B
- ♭7D
- 9F#
- 13C#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (C♯). 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 the fully-extended V13 — the standard big-dominant in jazz cadences.
Drill it
The E dominant 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.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in a E13 chord?
- E13 contains six notes: E, G♯, B, D, F♯, C♯.
- How is E13 different from E7?
- E13 adds the 13th (C♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is E13 used in music?
- Functions as the fully-extended V13 — the standard big-dominant in jazz cadences.