How to play E Major 13th on ukulele
These shapes are for standard GCEA tuning. 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: 1304
- Press the 4th string (G) at fret 1.
- Press the 3rd string (C) at fret 3.
- Press the 1st string (A) at fret 4.
- Let the 2nd string ring open.
Shape 2: 6446 (from fret 4)
- Lay your index finger flat across the 2nd to 3rd strings at fret 4 (a barre).
- Press the 4th string (G) at fret 6.
- Press the 1st string (A) at fret 6.
Shape 3: 8897 (from fret 7)
- Press the 4th string (G) at fret 8.
- Press the 3rd string (C) at fret 8.
- Press the 2nd string (E) at fret 9.
- Press the 1st string (A) at fret 7.
The numbers in the shape name list the fret for each string from the string nearest your face to the highest, with x meaning that string is not played and 0 meaning it rings open.
Notes in E Major 13th
| Note | Role |
|---|---|
| E | 1 (root) |
| G♯ | 3 |
| B | 5 |
| D♯ | 7 |
| F♯ | 9 |
| C♯ | 13 |
The formula for E Major 13th (major thirteenth) is 1 3 5 7 9 13: take the root, then the scale degrees listed.
When to use Emaj13
Major 13th chords are wide and lush, used for ballad endings and jazz tonic chords. The thirteenth is the same note as the sixth, added above the seventh.
Other E chords
E, Em, E7, Emaj7, Em7, Esus2, Esus4, E°, E+, Eadd9, E6, Eø7
Other major 13th chords on ukulele
Cmaj13, D♭maj13, Dmaj13, E♭maj13, Fmaj13, F♯maj13, Gmaj13, A♭maj13, Amaj13, B♭maj13, Bmaj13
Frequently asked questions
How do you play E Major 13th on ukulele?
The easiest Emaj13 shape on ukulele is 1304 (Press the 4th string (G) at fret 1. Press the 3rd string (C) at fret 3. Press the 1st string (A) at fret 4. Let the 2nd string ring open.)
What notes are in E Major 13th?
E Major 13th (Emaj13) contains the notes E G♯ B D♯ F♯ C♯. The formula is 1 3 5 7 9 13.
How many ukulele shapes are there for Emaj13?
There are many. This page shows 3 common ones at different positions, easiest first. Moving a barre shape up the neck gives the same chord type on other roots.
See E Major 13th on guitar, check its notes in the chord finder, or transpose a whole song with the chord transposer. Browse the full ukulele chord library.