Emaj13 — E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯, C♯ — is a major 13th chord: stacked thirds through the 13th — maj7 + 9 + 13 (the 11th is conventionally omitted to avoid clashing with the 3rd). The full-stacked tonic sonority of advanced jazz harmony.
Intervals
The E major 13 chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:
- E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
- G#→Bminor 3rd3 semitones
- B→D#major 3rd4 semitones
- D#→F#minor 3rd3 semitones
- F#→C#perfect 5th7 semitones
On the keyboard
Each note of the E major 13 chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.
On the guitar
One voicing of the E major 13 chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.
- 1E
- 3G#
- 5B
- 7D#
- 9F#
- 13C#
Common mistakes
The defining note is the 13th (C♯). It sits more than an octave above the root, which is why the chord needs a wide voicing — in tight piano voicings the 13th usually appears in the top register while the root and lower triad tones cluster below.
In context
Functions as the fully-extended Imaj13 — a complete tonic sonority in modern jazz harmony.
Drill it
The E major 13 chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.
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Frequently asked
- What notes are in a Emaj13 chord?
- Emaj13 contains six notes: E, G♯, B, D♯, F♯, C♯.
- How is Emaj13 different from Emaj7?
- Emaj13 adds the 13th (C♯) on top of the underlying 7th chord. The 13th extends the chord into the next octave and adds harmonic colour.
- When is Emaj13 used in music?
- Functions as the fully-extended Imaj13 — a complete tonic sonority in modern jazz harmony.