How to play the Dmaj13 chord on guitar

The Dmaj13 chord, pronounced "D major thirteenth," is a sophisticated and jazzy variation of the standard D major chord. This extended chord adds colorful tones, including the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th, creating a rich and complex harmony. Commonly used in jazz, funk, and R&B, the Dmaj13 can add a touch of elegance and intrigue to any musical arrangement.

The most common way to play the Dmaj13 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 10th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Dmaj13 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 10th fret to form a barre chord.
2. Place your middle finger on the 12th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 1st (high E) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Dmaj13 chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to properly fret all the strings in the barre chord.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Dmaj13 chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st (high E) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
4. Strum the top three strings.

The Dmaj13 chord is most commonly played in an open position, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for situations where you need to quickly transition between chords or want a brighter, more complex sound.

Here's how to play a Dmaj13 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 10th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 11th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 12th fret of the 4th (D) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 12th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Dmaj13 chord brings a lush, jazzy flavor to progressions, often evoking a dreamy or wistful emotional atmosphere. Here are some common chord progressions featuring the Dmaj13 chord:

• I - V7sus4 - Imaj7 - IV6 (Dmaj13 - A7sus4 - Dmaj7 - G6)
• ii - V7 - Imaj7 - IVmaj7 (Em7 - A7 - Dmaj13 - Gmaj7)
• iii - vi - ii - V7 (F#m7 - Bm7 - Em7 - A7sus4 - Dmaj13) Used in "Still Crazy After All These Years" by Paul Simon
• ii7 - V7#9 - Imaj7 - VIm7 (Em7 - A7#9 - Dmaj13 - Bm7)
• vi - V7sus4 - Imaj9 - IV6 (Bm7 - A7sus4 - Dmaj13 - G6) Used in "Autumn Leaves" and "Misty"

To master the Dmaj13 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, play the notes in pairs, such as D-F#, A-C#, and E-B. Practice transitioning between these pairs smoothly.

Another drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note in sequence from lowest to highest and back down. Start slowly and gradually increase speed while maintaining accuracy. This exercise helps develop finger independence and muscle memory, making the Dmaj13 shape more natural and comfortable to play.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Dmaj13 chord:

1. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (Dmaj13, E13, Gmaj7, Dmaj7, Bm7, Fm7, Em7, A7)
2. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Dmaj13, Cmaj13, Gmaj13, A13, Fmaj13, Cmaj13, Gmaj13, A13)
3. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, Amaj7, Am7, Dsus4, D, Dm, Dmaj13, Dsus2, Dsus4)
4. Hotel California by Eagles (Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em, F#7, Dmaj13)
5. Wonderwall by Oasis (Em7, G, Dmaj13, A7sus4, Cadd9)
6. Sunny by Bobby Hebb (Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Cmaj7, F#m7b5, B7b9, Em7, A7, Dmaj13, G7, E7#9)
7. Harvest Moon by Neil Young (Dmaj13, Em7, A7, Gmaj7, D, A)
8. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty (D, Dmaj13, G, G6, Asus4, A)
9. You've Got a Friend by Carole King (Dmaj13, G6, Asus4, A, Bm7, Em7, Dmaj13, A, G)
10. If I Ain't Got You by Alicia Keys (Dmaj13, Bm7, Em7, A13, Gmaj7)