Arpeggios V: Thirteenth Chords

We conclude our study of extended arpeggios with thirteenth chord arpeggios.

This post will provide fingerings for thirteenth chord arpeggios, along with instruction on how to play the arpeggios on a guitar with any root note.

Major Thirteenth Arpeggios

The chord formula for a major thirteenth chord is 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13.

A major thirteenth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a major thirteenth chord — the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th degrees of the major scale with the same root note.

Both a Cmaj13 chord and a C major thirteenth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, E, G, B, D, F and A — the first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th notes in a C major scale.

Fig.1 shows a common fingering for a major thirteenth arpeggio, the 13th scale degree highlighted in blue. The ninth and 11th scale degrees are omitted from the diagram.

Fig.1

This fingering will allow you to play a major thirteenth arpeggio starting on any note:

  • To play a C major thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.2a).
  • To play an F major thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.2b).

Fig.2

Dominant Thirteenth Arpeggios

The chord formula for a dominant thirteenth chord is 1, 3, 5, b7, 9, 11 and 13.

A dominant thirteenth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a dominant thirteenth chord — the first, third, fifth, flatted seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th degrees of the major scale with the same root note.   

Both a C13 chord and a C dominant thirteenth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, E, G, Bb, D, F and A — the first, third, fifth, flatted seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th notes in a C major scale. 

Fig.3 shows a common fingering for a dominant thirteenth arpeggio, the 13th scale degree highlighted in blue.   The ninth and 11th scale degrees are omitted from the diagram.

Fig.3

This fingering will allow you to play a dominant thirteenth arpeggio starting on any note:

  • To play a C dominant thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.4a).
  • To play an F dominant thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.4b).

Fig.4

Minor Thirteenth Arpeggios

The chord formula for a minor thirteenth chord is 1, b3, 5, b7, 9, 11 and 13.

A minor thirteenth arpeggio fingering contains the same notes as a minor thirteenth chord — the first, flatted third, fifth, flatted seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th degrees of the major scale with the same root note.   

Both a Cm13 chord and a C minor thirteenth arpeggio fingering contain the notes C, Eb, G, Bb, D, F and A — the first, flatted third, fifth, flatted seventh, ninth, 11th and 13th notes in a C major scale. 

Fig.5 shows a common fingering for a minor thirteenth arpeggio, the 13th scale degree highlighted in blue.   The ninth and 11th scale degrees are omitted from the diagram.

Fig.5

This fingering will allow you to play a minor thirteenth arpeggio starting on any note:

  • To play a C minor thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the C on the sixth string, eighth fret (fig.6a).
  • To play an F minor thirteenth arpeggio, start the pattern on the F on the sixth string, 13th fret (fig.6b).

Fig.6

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