Db13 Ukulele Chord
Db13 on ukulele is 4-1-1-1: barre the 1st fret across the C, E and A strings with your index finger and put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string. It is a barre shape, which feels awkward at first but is well worth learning. You will also see it written as C#13, C sharp thirteenth.
- Notes: Db, F, Ab, B, Eb, Gb and Bb
- Frets: 4 1 1 1
- Tuning: g C E A
Db13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- C#13, or Db thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- Db (root), F (major 3rd), Ab (perfect 5th), B (minor 7th), Eb (major 9th), Gb (perfect 11th), Bb (major 13th)
- Notes
- Db, F, Ab, B, Eb, Gb and Bb
- Frets
- 4 1 1 1
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the Db13 chord
Here is the Db13 chord step by step:
- Put your ring finger on the 4th fret of the g string.
- Lay your index finger flat across the C, E and A strings at the 1st 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.
Is there an easier way to play Db13?
Not really. 4-1-1-1 is already the simplest playable shape for Db13 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 Db13 chord?
The Db13 chord is built from seven notes: Db, F, Ab, B, Eb, Gb and Bb (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.
Want to go further?
Once Db13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try Db7, Dbmaj7, Dbm and Db. 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.