Gbm13 Piano Chord

Piano Diagram of Gbm13 in Root Position

The Gbm13 chord is built upon the root note Gb and includes a minor 3rd (Bbb), a perfect 5th (Db), a minor 7th (Fb), a major 9th (Ab), an 11th (Cb), and a 13th (Eb). 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 Gbm13 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 a Gbm13

When playing a Gbm13 chord, you can play the root note Gb with the left hand and use the right hand to play the minor 7th note Fb (E), the 9th note Ab, and the 13th note Eb. This way, you can play a simplified Gbm13 chord that includes only the root note, minor 7th, 9th, and 13th notes:

Gb + Fb, Ab, Eb

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 Fb, the minor 3rd note Bbb (A), and the 13th note (Eb):

Gb + Fb, Bbb, Eb

Also, you could play a Gbm13 just playing the root note with the left hand and the 9th, the 3rd, and the 13th with your right hand:

Gb + Ab, Bbb, Eb

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.

 

Gbm13 Chord Inversions

 

The Gbm13 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 Gbm13

The Gbm13 chord is a diatonic extension of Gbm7. While it can be substituted for the Gbm7 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 Gbm13 for Gbm7.

 

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Building the Gbm13 Chord: Different Approaches

Starting from the Gb 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 a Gbm13, you can start with the Gb Major scale:

 

 

 

To create a Gbm13 chord, apply the formula R, m3, 5, m7, 9, 11, 13 in the following way:

1. Begin with the Root note, Gb.
2. Select the 3rd interval, Bb then subtract a half-step to get the minor 3rd Bbb (A).
3. Add the 5th interval, Db.
4. Select the 7th interval, F, and lower it down by a half-step to get the minor 7th, Fb (E).
5. Add the major 9th, Ab.
6. Pick the 11th Cb (B), which is a 4th interval at the higher octave.
7. Lastly, add the 13th (Eb) 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 Gbm13 chord, we can note that:

• the interval between Gb and Bbb is a minor 3rd,
• between Bbb and Db is a major 3rd,
• between Db and Fb is a minor 3rd,
• between Fb and Ab is a major 3rd,
• between Ab and Cb, there is a minor 3rd,
• and finally, between Cb and Eb, 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 a Gbm13 chord, you can blend a Gb minor triad (Gb, Bbb, Db) with an Fb Maj7 chord (Fb, Ab, B, Eb) or a Gbm7 (Gb, Bbb, Db, Fb) with an Ab minor (Ab, Cb, Eb).

Gbm + Fb Maj7 = Gbm13

or

Gbm7 + Ab min = Gbm13

 

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How to Use Gbm13 in a Chord Progression

 

The Gb minor 13th chord is a more complex version of the Gb 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 Gbm13 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 Gbm13 chord. The tables of the major and minor keys below include the Gb minor 7th chord, which can be substituted or complemented by a Gb minor 13th chord.

Gbm13 in Theoretical Keys

Usually Gb minor chords are found just in theoretical keys, which are not commonly used in practical music contexts. In such cases, it is common to refer to their enharmonic equivalent keys.

on Natural minor Scales

• Tonic chord in F# minor as F#min13
• Subdominant chord in C# minor as F#min13
• Non-diatonic Dominant chord in B minor as F#min13

 

on Major Scales

• Supertonic chord in E Major as F#min13
• Non-diatonic Mediant chord in D Major as F#min13
• Submediant chord in A Major as F#min13

 

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Gbm13 as Tonic Chord in Gb minor

Check F#m13 as Tonic Chord in F# minor

 

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Gbm13 as Subdominant Chord in Db minor

Check F#m13 as Subdominant Chord in C# minor

 

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Gbm13 as Dominant Chord in Cb minor (Non-Diatonic)

Check F#m13 as Dominant Chord in B minor

 

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Gbm13 as Supertonic Chord in Fb Major

Check F#m13 as Supertonic Chord in E Major

 

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Gbm13 as Mediant Chord in Ebb Major (Non-Diatonic) 

Check F#m13 as Mediant Chord in D Major

 

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Gbm13 as Submediant Chord in Bbb Major

Check F#m13 as Submediant Chord in A Major

 

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Alternative Gbm13 Nomenclature

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

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