G thirteenth (G13) chord on mandolin

The G thirteenth chord (G13) is a thirteenth chord (a dominant ninth plus a major thirteenth), made of six notes: G – B – D – F – A – E.

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 9easy

Position 4medium

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What the G13 chord sounds like

A thirteenth chord is a dominant seventh with an added major thirteenth (the sixth an octave up). On an instrument the fifth and often the ninth are dropped, and the eleventh is left out. A classic jazz and blues dominant.

Notes of the G13 chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	G	root
3	B	major third (4 semitones)
5	D	perfect fifth (7 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
7	F	minor seventh (10 semitones)
9	A	major second (2 semitones) – often omitted on fretted instruments
13	E	major sixth (9 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape

String 1 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 2, index finger (B4)
String 3 (D): fret 3, middle finger (F4)
String 4 (G): open (G3)

Position 9

String 1 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 10, ring finger (G5)
String 3 (D): fret 9, index finger (B4)
String 4 (G): fret 10, middle finger (F4)

Position 4

String 1 (E): open (E5)
String 2 (A): fret 8, ring finger (F5)
String 3 (D): fret 5, middle finger (G4)
String 4 (G): fret 4, index finger (B3)

Tuning: G D A E, like a violin; every note is a pair of strings that you fret together. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Which keys is it in?

The G13 chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

C major: V13 (dominant)
A minor: VII13

Similar chords and substitutes

If G13 is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯7 – tritone substitute: the same third and seventh, swapped – a jazz favourite
Bdim7 – diminished seventh on the third: a common stand-in for the dominant
G7 – a simpler dominant
G7sus4 – suspended dominant, less tense
C – where it resolves (V → I)

Simpler versions

G9 – all 5 of its notes are in this chord
G7 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord
G6 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord
Gadd9 – all 4 of its notes are in this chord

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the G13 chord?

G, B, D, F, A, E. The root is G; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, major second, major sixth.

What is the easiest way to play G13 on mandolin?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

Why is a note missing from some G13 shapes?

On a fretted instrument you can't always play every note of a 6-note chord. The fifth (D) and ninth (A) may be dropped – the chord keeps its character without them.

How is the G13 chord written?

The chord symbol is G13, and its full name is G thirteenth.