13th Chords on Guitar: Extended Harmony Beyond the 9th
Learn how to play 13th chords on guitar. Understand the theory, discover playable voicings for dominant 13th and major 13th, and find out how to use them in jazz, blues, and neo-soul.
Popular fretboard positions with fingering suggestions
Showing 8 of 115 playable shapes
Am is the A minor guitar chord. It uses the notes A, C, and E and the interval formula 1-♭3-5.
The A minor minor chord, composed of the root (A minor), minor third C, and perfect fifth E, evokes a melancholic or introspective emotion. The lowered third C gives it a somber, contemplative quality, contrasting with the major chord’s brightness, and is often used to express depth and emotional complexity.
Also written as Amin.
These are quick-start shapes for players who want the answer first and the deeper theory second.
x02210
x07555
Each note below shows how the chord is built from its root. This is the theory layer underneath the fretboard shapes.
The root anchors the chord and defines its tonal center.
This note supplies the minor color and gives the chord its darker emotional pull.
The fifth reinforces stability and gives the chord its strong harmonic frame.
Am uses the notes A, C, and E. Its interval formula is 1-♭3-5.
Am is also written as Amin.
Place the 1st finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string. Place the 2nd finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string. Place the 3rd finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string. Strum from the 5th string down.
Articles that reference this chord and explain how to use it in your playing.
Learn how to play 13th chords on guitar. Understand the theory, discover playable voicings for dominant 13th and major 13th, and find out how to use them in jazz, blues, and neo-soul.
A structured 15-minute guitar practice routine for busy players. Includes warm-up, chord changes, technique work, and song application - all in a quarter hour.
Master guitar with micro-practice sessions. Learn science-backed 5-minute routines, chord changes, scale runs, and strumming patterns to build consistency without burnout.
Master 5/4 time on guitar with practical exercises. Learn strumming patterns, chord progressions, and how to feel odd meter naturally.
Transform basic guitar chords into rich, textured sounds using embellishments, bass runs, and finger-picking techniques.
Learn how to play add9 chords on guitar, how they differ from 9th chords, and when to use them in your playing. Includes shapes, examples, and practice tips.