How to play the D13 chord on guitar

The D13 chord, pronounced "D dominant thirteenth," is a sophisticated and jazzy variation of the standard D chord. It adds color and tension to progressions, making it a favorite among jazz, funk, and soul musicians. Notable for its rich harmonic texture, the D13 can be heard in songs like Stevie Wonder's "Superstition" and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing," adding a touch of musical intrigue.

The most common way to play the D13 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 10th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a D13 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 10th fret and barre all six strings
2. Place your middle finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string
3. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 3rd (G) string
4. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd (B) string

Strum all six strings together to play the D13 chord. Practice transitioning smoothly to and from this chord shape.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the D13 chord, try playing the D7 chord instead. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string, and your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd (B) string. Strum from the 4th (D) string down.

Playing the D13 chord as a barre chord can be a great way to add a fuller, richer sound to your playing, especially when you need to quickly transition between chords.

Here's how to play a D13 barre chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 10th fret, forming a barre.
2. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down.

The D13 chord adds a jazzy, sophisticated flavor to chord progressions, often creating a sense of movement and resolution. Some common D13 chord progressions include:

• ii13 - V7 - IMaj7 (Dm13 - G7 - CMaj7)
• I13 - IV7 - vii7(b5) - iii7 (D13 - G7 - Bm7(b5) - F#m7). Used in "I Got Rhythm" and "Moose the Mooche"
• I13 - vi7 - ii7 - V7 (D13 - Bm7 - Em7 - A7)
• iii13 - bIIIMaj7 - ii7 - V7 (F#m13 - AbMaj7 - Em7 - A7)
• I13sus4 - I13 - IVMaj7 - iv7 (D13sus4 - D13 - GMaj7 - Gm7)

To master the D13 guitar chord, try playing the individual notes (D, F#, A, C, E, B) in sequence, focusing on clean execution and tone. Once comfortable, practice transitioning between D13 and other common chords like G, A, and Bm.

Another helpful drill is to arpeggiate the D13 chord, playing each note separately in ascending or descending order. This exercise helps develop finger independence and familiarity with the chord shape. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns and tempos to keep things interesting and challenging.

Here are 6 popular songs you can play with the D13 chord.

1. I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye (D13, Em7, Bm7, Em7, Dm7, G7, F7, E7)
2. Lady Madonna by The Beatles (A7, D7, A7, D7, A7, D7, G7, A7, D7)
3. My Cherie Amour by Stevie Wonder (D13, G13, A7, D13, G13, A7)
4. A Certain Girl by Warren Zevon (E, A, D13)
5. As by Stevie Wonder (Cmaj7, D13, Dm7, E7, Fmaj7, Fm7, Em7, A7)
6. Frankie and Johnny by Sam Cooke (D, D7, D9, D13, G, G7, G9, G13, A7, D9)