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B13 Chord on Guitar

B13 is the B dominant 13th chord — 6 notes (B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, G♯) built from the formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: B · D♯ · F♯ · A · C♯ · G♯Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 · 13Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

B13: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • B13 – open position×R3♭7R13open position
  • B13 – fret 2×R5♭7313fret 2
  • B13 – fret 44R9♭7R313fret 4
  • B13 – fret 66R3♭7913×fret 6
  • B13 – fret 77R5♭7313Rfret 7

B13: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • B13 – R-3-76R3♭7×××R-3-7
  • B13 – R-3-7×R3♭7××R-3-7
  • B13 – R-7-37R×♭73××R-7-3
  • B13 – R-7-3×R×♭73×R-7-3

Keys that contain B13

Scales to play over B13

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, G♯.

Other B chords

Triads

Sevenths

Sixths

Added

Extended

Dominant 13th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the B13 chord?
B13 (B dominant 13th) contains B, D♯, F♯, A, C♯, G♯ — formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13.
How do you play B13 on guitar?
A common shape is x21204 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with B13?
Good choices to solo over B13: B Mixolydian, B Lydian dominant.
What key is B13 in?
B13 is diatonic in E major (V13), C♯ minor (♭VII13).