thirteenth chord: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples

No. In practice, especially on instruments with limited polyphony like guitar or piano, notes like the fifth, ninth, and eleventh are commonly omitted. The essential defining tones are the root, third, seventh, and thirteenth.

A 6th chord (e.g., C6) contains the root, third, fifth, and sixth. A 13th chord implies the presence of a seventh (and often extensions like the ninth and eleventh), making it a more complex, dominant-functioning harmony. The 13th is the same pitch class as the 6th, but an octave higher in the chord structure.

It is very rare in mainstream pop. Pop music generally uses simpler triads and seventh chords. The term is most at home in jazz, fusion, advanced R&B, and some theatrical or film music.

Yes. A minor thirteenth chord (e.g., Cm13) contains a minor third, a minor seventh, and a thirteenth (which is a major 13th above the root in a minor key context). The extensions (9th, 11th) can be altered as well.

A tertian chord containing seven notes: the root, third, fifth, seventh, ninth, eleventh, and thirteenth (the same pitch as the sixth scale degree, but an octave higher).

Thirteenth chord is usually technical/musical in register.

Thirteenth chord: in British English it is pronounced /ˌθɜːˈtiːnθ kɔːd/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌθɝˈtinθ kɔːrd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.