D#13 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of D#13 in Root Position

D#13 is a chord that includes the root note D#, a major third (F_x), a perfect fifth (A#), a minor seventh (C#), a major ninth (E#), an eleventh (G#), and a 13th (B#). It’s similar to a 6th chord since the 13th is a 6th at a higher octave but also includes a minor 7th, major 9th, and 11th.

 

Playing Extended Chords on Piano

Extended chords are commonly used in piano playing, but they can be tricky to play in their entirety due to the large number of notes involved. To make these chords more manageable, pianists often omit certain notes, such as the root or the 5th. Another technique is to split the chord between both hands, playing either full or partial chords in each hand.

How to play a D#13

One approach to playing the D#13 chord is by playing the root note D# with your left hand then, with your right hand, you can play the minor 7th note C#, the 9th note E#, and the 13th note B#. This will result in a simplified D#13 chord that only includes the root note, minor 7th, 9th, and 13th notes.

D# + C#, E#, B#

Alternatively, you can play the root note with your left hand and an inversion of the chord with the 7th note (C#), the 3rd note (F_x), and the 13th note (B#) with your right hand.

D# + C#, F_x, B#

However, even when notes are omitted or split between hands, extended chords can still create complex and dense harmonies. When these chords are inverted, the resulting clusters of notes can be particularly challenging to voice effectively.

 

D#13 Chord Inversions

 

The D#13 chord has a total of 6 inversions:

Piano Keyboard Diagrams

Chord Inversions on Piano

Understanding chord inversions is an essential aspect of music theory as it helps to explain how chords are arranged. When playing chord inversions on a piano, it’s important to keep in mind that the diagrams used to illustrate the order of notes may not always be practical or even possible to play.

To achieve the proper chord voicings on a piano, you need to distribute the notes of the chord across various octaves and positions on the keyboard. This often means that the basic shape of the chord’s inversions shown in diagrams may not be the most convenient or comfortable way to play the chord.

While chord inversion diagrams can be useful in comprehending the structure and sequence of notes in a chord, it’s always a good idea to try out different voicings and fingerings to discover the most efficient and comfortable way to play the chord, while still maintaining its intended harmonic function and sound.

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Music Theory and Harmony of D#13

 

The D#13 chord is an extension of the D#7 chord and is used on the V and VII degrees of major and natural minor scales, respectively. It can be used in all the positions where D#7 can be played, but a more common use is to play it in conjunction with the dominant chord. However, it’s important to note that some positions may not work as well as others when using D#13 instead of D#7.

If you want to experiment with using D#13 as an alternative to D#7, you can start by checking out the D#7 chord page for ideas on where to begin. Trying out the D#13 chord in different positions can help you understand which ones work well and which ones may not be as effective.

 

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Building the D#13 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the D# Major Scale

To form a 13th chord, you combine the root, the major 3rd, the 5th, the minor 7th, the major 9th, the 11th, and the 13th from a major scale.

 

 

 

To create a D#13 chord, apply the formula R, 3, 5, m7, 9, 11, 13 in the following way:

1. Begin with the Root note, which is D#.
2. Select the major 3rd interval, F_x.
3. Add the 5th interval, which is A#.
4. Add the minor 7th interval, C#.
5. Add the major 9th, which is E#.
6. Add the 11th G#, which is a 4th interval at the higher octave.
7. Lastly, add the 13th (B#), which is a 6th at a higher octave.

By following this simple formula, you can create a 13th chord from any major scale.

 

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by Combining Intervals

One method to create a 13th chord is by combining specific intervals – a major 3rd, a minor 3rd, a minor 3rd, a major 3rd, and a minor 3rd. This is the formula:

3 + m3 + m3 + 3 + m3 + 3 = 13th Chords

Upon analysis of the D#13 chord, we can note that:

• the interval between D# and F_x is a major 3rd,
• between F_x and A# is a minor 3rd,
• between A# and C# is a minor 3rd,
• between C# and E# is a major 3rd,
• between E# and G# there is a minor 3rd,
• and finally, between G# and B# there is a major 3rd.

 

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by Combining Chords

Another way to build 13th chords is by combining a major triad with a Maj 7th chord derived from its minor 7th, or by merging a dominant 7th chord with a minor triad that is based on its second interval.

D# Major + C# Maj7 = D#13

or

D#7 + E# minor = D#13

To build a D#13 chord, you can blend a D# Major triad with a C# Major chord or a D#7 with an E# minor. When played together, these two chords produce a D#13 chord.

 

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How to Use D#13 in a Chord Progression

 

The D#13 chord is essentially an extension of the D#7 chord, with the addition of the 9th (E#), the 11th (G#), and the 13th (B#) note. Because of this, the D#13 chord can often be substituted for the D#7 chord.

Here are the tables of the major and natural minor scales that include the D# dominant 7th chord, which can be substituted or complemented by a D#13 chord but I suggest referring to the posts on dominant 7th chords to learn more fancy uses and contexts in which a dominant 13th chord can be played.

It’s important to keep in mind that G# Major and E# minor are considered theoretical keys and not commonly used in practice. This is mainly due to their complex nature, with a high number of accidentals. It’s more convenient to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys (Ab Major and F minor), as they involve fewer accidentals.

 

on G# Major Scale

• Dominant chord in Ab Major as Eb13

 

on E# minor Scale

• Leading Tone chord in F minor as Eb13

 

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D#13 as Dominant Chord in G# Major

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D#13 as the Leading Tone chord in E# minor

Check Eb13 in F minor

 

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Alternative D#13 Nomenclature

• D# 13
• Re# 13
• D# 13th
• D# 7/13
• D# dom13
• D# 7/9/11/13
• D# Dominant 13
• D# Dominant 13th
• D# Dominant thirteenth

 

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