A13 Chord on Guitar

A13 is the A dominant 13th chord — 6 notes (A, C♯, E, G, B, F♯) built from the formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: A · C♯ · E · G · B · F♯Formula: 1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · 9 · 13Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

A13: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • A13 – open position×R5♭7313open position
  • A13 – fret 2R9♭7R313fret 2
  • A13 – fret 44R3♭7913×fret 4
  • A13 – fret 55R5♭7313Rfret 5
  • A13 – fret 1212×R5♭7313fret 12

A13: Shell voicings (jazz)

  • A13 – R-3-7R3♭7×××R-3-7
  • A13 – R-3-711×R3♭7××R-3-7
  • A13 – R-7-35R×♭73××R-7-3
  • A13 – R-7-312×R×♭73×R-7-3

Keys that contain A13

Scales to play over A13

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain A, C♯, E, G, B, F♯.

Other A chords

Dominant 13th chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the A13 chord?
A13 (A dominant 13th) contains A, C♯, E, G, B, F♯ — formula 1 3 5 ♭7 9 13.
How do you play A13 on guitar?
A common shape is x02022 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with A13?
Good choices to solo over A13: A Mixolydian, A Lydian dominant.
What key is A13 in?
A13 is diatonic in D major (V13), B minor (♭VII13).