Abm13 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Abm13 in Root Position

The Abm13 chord is built upon the root note Ab and includes a minor 3rd (Cb), a perfect 5th (Eb), a minor 7th (Gb), a major 9th (Bb), an 11th (Db), and a 13th (F). This chord bears resemblance to a minor 6th chord due to the presence of the 13th, which is essentially a 6th note played at a higher octave. However, it also includes a minor 7th, major 9th, and 11th notes, which contribute to creating a sense of tension and dissonance.

 

Playing Extended Chords on Piano

Extended chords like the Abm13 can be challenging to play due to the large number of notes they involve. To simplify them, pianists often use different strategies like omitting certain notes or dividing the chord between both hands.

How to play an Abm13

When playing an Abm13 chord, you can play the root note Ab with the left hand and use the right hand to play the minor 7th note Gb, the 9th note Bb, and the 13th note F. This way, you can play a simplified Abm13 chord that includes only the root note, minor 7th, 9th, and 13th notes:

Ab + Gb, Bb, F

Another option is to play the root note with the left hand and use the right hand to play an inversion of the chord with the 7th note Gb, the minor 3rd note Cb (B), and the 13th note F:

Ab + Gb, Cb, F

Also, you could play an Abm13 just playing the root note with the left hand and the 9th, the 3rd, and the 13th with your right hand:

Ab + Bb, Cb, F

Despite using these techniques, extended chords can still produce dense and complex harmonies. When the chords are inverted, the resulting clusters of notes can be particularly challenging to play effectively and require careful voicing.

 

Abm13 Chord Inversions

 

The Abm13 chord has a total of 6 inversions:

Piano Keyboard Diagrams

Chord Inversion on Piano

Having a solid understanding of chord inversions is a crucial element of music theory since it sheds light on how chords are constructed. When it comes to playing chord inversions on a piano, it’s essential to keep in mind that the charts and graphs depicting the order of notes may not always be feasible or even playable.

To achieve the proper chord voicings on a piano, you must spread the chord notes across various octaves and positions on the keyboard. This often entails deviating from the typical shape of the chord’s inversions shown in charts, which may not be the most practical or comfortable way to play the chord.

While chord inversion charts can help understand the structure and sequence of notes in a chord, it’s always a good idea to experiment with different voicings and fingerings to find the most efficient and comfortable way to play the chord, while still preserving its intended harmonic function and sound.

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Music Theory and Harmony of Abm13

The Abm13 chord is a diatonic extension of Abm7. While it can be substituted for the Abm7 chord in any position, it is commonly used in conjunction with it. Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that certain positions may not be as effective when substituting Abm13 for Abm7.

 

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Building the Abm13 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Ab Major Scale

To build a minor 13th chord, you would typically combine the root note, minor 3rd, 5th, minor 7th, major 9th, 11th, and 13th from a minor scale. However, for educational purposes, it may be clearer to demonstrate its construction using a major scale, as it better illustrates the relationship between intervals and their qualities.

To build an Abm13, you can start with the Ab Major scale:

 

 

 

To create an Abm13 chord, apply the formula R, m3, 5, m7, 9, 11, 13 in the following way:

1. Begin with the Root note, Ab.
2. Select the 3rd interval, C then subtract a half-step to get the minor 3rd Cb (B).
3. Add the 5th interval, Eb.
4. Select the 7th interval, G, and lower it down by a half-step to get the minor 7th, Gb.
5. Add the major 9th, Bb.
6. Pick the 11th Db, which is a 4th interval at the higher octave.
7. Lastly, add the 13th (F) which is a 6th at a higher octave.

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

 

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by Combining Intervals

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

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

Upon analysis of the Abm13 chord, we can note that:

• the interval between Ab and Cb is a minor 3rd,
• between Cb and Eb is a major 3rd,
• between Eb and Gb is a minor 3rd,
• between Gb and Bb is a major 3rd,
• between Bb and Db there is a minor 3rd,
• and finally, between Db and F there is a major 3rd.

 

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by Combining Chords

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

To build an Abm13 chord, you can blend an Ab minor triad (Ab, Cb, Eb) with a Gb Maj7 chord (Gb, Bb, Db, F) or an Abm7 (Ab, Cb, Eb, Gb) with a Bb minor (Bb, Db, F).

Abm + Gb Maj7 = Abm13

or

Abm7 + Bb min = Abm13

 

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How to Use Abm13 in a Chord Progression

 

The Ab minor 13th chord is a more complex version of the Ab minor 7th chord, as it includes additional notes such as the 9th, 11th, and 13th. These extra notes add a lot of dissonance and tension to the chord, which can make it tricky to use in a chord progression. Even if you leave out some of the notes, you still need to find the right voicing, because the effect of the Abm13 depends on how it fits in with the other chords. It’s important to experiment with different voicings and figure out what works best with your particular progression.

In this post, we will focus just on the most common uses of the Abm13 chord. The tables of the major and minor keys below include the Ab minor 7th chord, which can be substituted or complemented by an Ab minor 13th chord.

Abm13 in Theoretical Keys

Ab minor 13 chords are typically found in theoretical keys that are not commonly used in practical music contexts. In these cases, it is often more convenient to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys for simplicity and ease of understanding.

 

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in Ab minor
• Subdominant chord in Eb minor
• Non-diatonic Dominant chord in C# minor as G#min13

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in Gb Major
• Non-diatonic Mediant chord in E Major as G#min13
• Submediant chord in B Major as G#min13

 

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Abm13 as Tonic Chord in Ab minor

The Ab minor 13th chord is an interesting and distinct choice for the tonic chord in the Ab minor key.

Abm13 Chord Progressions as i degree

The following chord progressions are examples of how the Ab minor 13th chord can serve as the tonic chord (i degree).

i VI VII III

 

i iv VI VII

I prefer resolving the Ab min13 chord to a more stable Ab chord (Ab minor or Ab minor 7th) within the same measure, but I encourage you to explore different options and experiment with other chord progressions to see what sounds best to you.

 

Circle Progression

 

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Abm13 as Subdominant Chord in Eb minor

The Ab minor 13th can also be played as the subdominant chord in the key of Eb natural minor.

Abm13 Chord Progressions as iv degree

The following chord progressions feature an Abm13 chord as the subdominant (iv degree):

 

iv III VI VII

 

i iv VI v

 

Circle Progression

 

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Abm13 as Dominant Chord in Db minor (Non-Diatonic)

Check G#m13 as Dominant Chord in C# minor

 

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Abm13 as Supertonic Chord in Gb Major

Besides its use in minor keys, the Abm13 chord can also be played in major keys. In the key of Gb major, for instance, the Abm13 chord can be used as the supertonic chord, located on the second degree of the scale.

Abm13 Chord Progressions as ii degree

Try playing the following chord progressions to better understand how the Abm13 chord functions as the supertonic (ii) chord in the key of Gb major.

 

ii V I

 

Circle Progression

 

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Abm13 as Mediant Chord in Fb Major (Non-Diatonic) 

Check G#m13 as Mediant Chord in E Major

 

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Abm13 as Submediant Chord in Cb Major

Check G#m13 as Submediant Chord in B Major

 

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Alternative Abm13 Nomenclature

• Ab m13
• Ab m13th
• Ab m11/13
• Ab min13th
• Ab minor 13
• Ab m7/9/11/13
• Ab minor thirteenth

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