How to play E♭ Dominant 13th on guitar
These shapes are for standard tuning (E A D G B E). The first is the easiest, and the others sit in different positions on the neck. Playing in another tuning? Pick it above the diagrams and the shapes are redrawn for it.
Shape 1: (11)8(11)888
- Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 5th strings at fret 8 (a barre).
- Press the 6th string (E) at fret 11.
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 11.
Shape 2: x68688 (from fret 6)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 3rd to 5th strings at fret 6 (a barre).
- Press the 4th string (D) at fret 8.
- Press the 2nd string (B) at fret 8.
- Press the 1st string (e) at fret 8.
- Don't play the 6th string.
The numbers in the shape name list the fret for each string from the lowest (thickest) to the highest, with x meaning that string is not played and 0 meaning it rings open.
Notes in E♭ Dominant 13th
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| E♭ | 1 (root) |
| G | 3 |
| B♭ | 5 |
| D♭ | ♭7 |
| F | 9 |
| C | 13 |
The formula for E♭ Dominant 13th (thirteenth chord) is 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13: take the root, then the scale degrees listed. In the D♯ spelling the notes are D♯ F𝄪 A♯ C♯ E♯ B♯.
When to use E♭13
Dominant 13th chords are big and swinging, a favourite final chord in jazz and blues. Guitarists usually play only the root, third, seventh and thirteenth.
Other E♭ chords
E♭, E♭m, E♭7, E♭maj7, E♭m7, E♭sus2, E♭sus4, E♭°, E♭+, E♭add9, E♭6, E♭ø7
Other dominant 13th chords on guitar
C13, D♭13, D13, E13, F13, F♯13, G13, A♭13, A13, B♭13, B13
Frequently asked questions
How do you play E♭ Dominant 13th on guitar?
The easiest E♭13 shape on guitar is (11)8(11)888 (Lay your index finger flat across the 1st to 5th strings at fret 8 (a barre). Press the 6th string (E) at fret 11. Press the 4th string (D) at fret 11.)
What notes are in E♭ Dominant 13th?
E♭ Dominant 13th (E♭13) contains the notes E♭ G B♭ D♭ F C. The formula is 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13.
Is E♭ the same as D♯?
Yes. E♭ and D♯ are two names for the same pitch, so E♭ Dominant 13th and D♯ Dominant 13th sound identical and use the same guitar shapes. Written as D♯13 the notes are spelled D♯ F𝄪 A♯ C♯ E♯ B♯.
How many guitar shapes are there for E♭13?
There are many. This page shows 2 common ones at different positions, easiest first. Moving a barre shape up the neck gives the same chord type on other roots.
check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full guitar chord library.