Ab13 Ukulele Chord
Trying to get the Ab13 chord under your fingers? It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. Your fingers go on the g, C, E and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A four-finger shape. Here is how to play Ab13, step by step.
- Notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb, Db and F
- Frets: 8 6 8 8
- Tuning: g C E A
Ab13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- Ab thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- Ab (root), C (major 3rd), Eb (perfect 5th), Gb (minor 7th), Bb (9th), Db (11th), F (13th)
- Notes
- Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb, Db and F
- Frets
- 8 6 8 8
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Ab13 chord
Here is the Ab13 chord step by step:
- Put your middle finger on the 8th fret of the g string.
- Put your index finger on the 6th fret of the C string.
- Put your ring finger on the 8th fret of the E string.
- Put your little finger on the 8th fret of the A string.
- Strum all four strings.
It is a bit of a stretch, so go slow and let your hand learn the shape. These quick tips for tricky chords help. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the Ab13 chord?
The Ab13 chord is built from seven notes: Ab, C, Eb, Gb, Bb, Db and F (the root, major 3rd, perfect 5th, minor 7th, 9th, 11th and 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.
Want to go further?
Once Ab13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Ab7, Abmaj7, Abm and Ab. It works as a richer color alongside the basic chords you already know. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.