E13 Ukulele Chord
Want to play the E13 chord on your ukulele? It is a three-finger shape, a little fiddly at first but it settles fast. Your fingers go on the g, C and A strings. The steps below show exactly where each one sits.
A three-finger shape. Here is how to play E13, step by step.
- Notes: E, Ab, B, D, Gb, A and Db
- Frets: 1 2 0 4
- Tuning: g C E A
E13 ukulele chord details
- Type
- Dominant 13th
- Also known as
- E thirteenth
- Formula
- 1 3 5 b7 9 11 13
- Intervals
- E (root), Ab (major 3rd), B (perfect 5th), D (minor 7th), Gb (9th), A (11th), Db (13th)
- Notes
- E, Ab, B, D, Gb, A and Db
- Frets
- 1 2 0 4
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Tuning
- Standard (g C E A)
How to play the E13 chord
Here is the E13 chord step by step:
- Put your index finger on the 1st fret of the g string.
- Put your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the C string.
- Put your little finger on the 4th fret of the A string.
- Leave the E 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.
What notes are in the E13 chord?
The E13 chord is built from seven notes: E, Ab, B, D, Gb, A and Db (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 E13 feels comfortable, its close relatives are worth exploring: try E7, Emaj7, Em and E. E13 pairs most often with A, B and Dbm, 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.