D13 Ukulele Chord
Trying to get the D13 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 two-finger shape. Here is how to play D13, step by step.
- Notes: D, Gb, A, C, E, G and B
- Frets: 5 2 2 2
- Tuning: g C E A
D13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- D thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- D (root), Gb (major 3rd), A (perfect 5th), C (minor 7th), E (9th), G (11th), B (13th)
- Notes
- D, Gb, A, C, E, G and B
- Frets
- 5 2 2 2
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the D13 chord
Here is the D13 chord step by step:
- Put your little finger on the 5th fret of the g string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the C, E and A strings at the 2nd fret, a small barre.
- Strum all four strings.
Roll your index finger slightly onto its bony side so it presses every string evenly. Read how to play bar chords if it keeps buzzing. New to these grids? Have a look at how to read a ukulele chord diagram.
What notes are in the D13 chord?
The D13 chord is built from seven notes: D, Gb, A, C, E, G and B (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 D13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try D7, Dmaj7, Dm and D. D13 pairs most often with G, A and Bm, 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.