Bb13 Ukulele Chord
Bb13 on ukulele is 0-2-4-1: put your index finger on the 1st fret of the A string, your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string, your little finger on the 4th fret of the E string and leave the g string open. It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. You will also see it written as A#13, A sharp thirteenth.
- Notes: Bb, D, F, Ab, C, Eb and G
- Frets: 0 2 4 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Bb13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- A#13, or Bb thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- Bb (root), D (major 3rd), F (perfect 5th), Ab (minor 7th), C (major 9th), Eb (perfect 11th), G (major 13th)
- Notes
- Bb, D, F, Ab, C, Eb and G
- Frets
- 0 2 4 1
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Bb13 chord
Here is the Bb13 chord step by step:
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the E string.
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the A string.
- Leave the g string 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 Bb13?
Not really. 0-2-4-1 is already the simplest playable shape for Bb13 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 Bb13 chord?
The Bb13 chord is built from seven notes: Bb, D, F, Ab, C, Eb and G (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 Bb13 chord
Want to go further?
Once Bb13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Bb7, Bbmaj7, Bbm and Bb. Bb13 pairs most often with F, Eb and Gm, so the few basic chords next to it go a long way. When that feels good, work on switching between chords faster. When you are ready, try some easy ukulele songs.