A13 Ukulele Chord
A13 on ukulele is 0-1-2-0: put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string and leave the g and A strings open. It is a two-finger shape, not hard but new at first.
- Notes: A, Db, E, G, B, D and Gb
- Frets: 0 1 2 0
- Tuning: g C E A
A13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- A thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- A (root), Db (major 3rd), E (perfect 5th), G (minor 7th), B (major 9th), D (perfect 11th), Gb (major 13th)
- Notes
- A, Db, E, G, B, D and Gb
- Frets
- 0 1 2 0
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the A13 chord
Here is the A13 chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the C string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the E string.
- Leave the g and A strings open.
- Strum all four strings.
Take it slowly the first few times and it will start to feel natural. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
Is there an easier way to play A13?
Not really. 0-1-2-0 is already the simplest playable shape for A13 on a ukulele; every alternative either needs more fingers or sits higher up the neck. If it still feels awkward, the tips above are the fix.
What notes are in the A13 chord?
The A13 chord is built from seven notes: A, Db, E, G, B, D and Gb (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th, major 9th, perfect 11th and major 13th). That flat seventh makes a dominant 7th restless. It leans forward and wants to resolve to the next chord, which is why it turns up all over blues and folk. New to these? Have a read about seventh chords.
Ukulele songs that use the A13 chord
Want to go further?
Once A13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try A7, Amaj7, Am and A. A13 pairs most often with D, E and Bm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. Then put it into a strumming pattern. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.