CifraLab

C13 Guitar Chord

C13 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
C13Guitar fingering diagram for C13Fret 8910111×234×STRING6ªC5ª×4ªA#3ªE2ªA1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets C13 apart

Play C13 one string at a time and you hear C, E, G, Bb, D and A. C is the root, E the major third, G the fifth, Bb the minor seventh, D the ninth and A the thirteenth. Said aloud, its notes are C, E, G, B flat, D and A.

From the low string to the high one you hear C, Bb, E and A. This shape drops two chord tones, G and D. They are the fifth and ninth. The lowest note is C on string 6 and the highest is A on string 2.

C13 is a closed shape with no open strings. Move it to another fret and the chord changes, but the fingering stays. Strings 5 and 1 are not played. Everything fits between frets 8 and 10. The second shape on this page starts at fret 3.

C13 holds the whole Am chord inside it, C, E and A.

C13 belongs to only one key, F major, where it is the V13.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01C C - Am - Dm - G702Em Em - C - Am - B7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (C13)

Formula: C13 (1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13)
Constituent chord intervals:

C 1E 3G 5Bb ♭7D 9A 13

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 8 (C)

String Control (Muted & Active)4 / 6 • 2 X Muted

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for C13:

01

position 8

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 8Finger 1
CDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 8Finger 2
A#
3rd String (G)
Fret 9Finger 3
EDegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 10Finger 4
ADegree 13
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 8 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 8 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 9 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 10 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 5th String (A), 1st String (High E).

02

position 3

Barre fret 3
5 / 6 stringsRoot: 5th String (A)
String Control (Muted & Active):
6th String (Low E)
×Muted
Do not play
Root
5th String (A)
Fret 3Finger 2
CDegree 1
4th String (D)
Fret 2Finger 1
EDegree 3
3rd String (G)
Fret 3Barre
A#
2nd String (B)
Fret 3Barre
DDegree 9
1st String (High E)
Fret 5Finger 4
ADegree 13

Placement tip: Barre fret 3. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 3 with your Middle finger, 4th String (D) at fret 2 with your Index finger, 1st String (High E) at fret 5 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 6th String (Low E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (C13)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets8 to 10
Fretting fingers4
Opennone
Muted5th and 1st

What to check

The 5th string stays muted between strings that ring.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from C13

Listen: C13 → Em · C · G

  1. C13
  2. Em
  3. C13
  4. C
  5. C13
  6. G
C13 → Em01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
C13 → C02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 5 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 3: string 5, fret 3
  • finger 2: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 2, fret 1
C13 → G03
Pivot / Anchor Finger:Full shape change

No finger is shared: place the bass on string 6 first, then the rest of the shape.

Move
  • finger 2: string 6, fret 3
  • finger 1: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 3: string 1, fret 3

C13 in every key

C13 sits in the scale of 1 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
3/5
Highest fret
10
Frets the hand covers
3
Barre
No
Strings that ring
4/6
Fretting fingers
4

Major keys

C13 on other instruments

PianoThe same notes on the keyboard.All togetherHear guitar, piano, bass and violin together.
Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions about the chord (C13)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the C13 chord?

To play the C13 chord on guitar, only 4 strings are played, from string 6 to string 2. Muted strings must be gently dampened with the fleshy side of a fretting finger to prevent dissonance.

What is the root bass note of the C13 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the C13 chord is its root note: C. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 8.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the C13 chord and what is its formula?

The C13 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13 formula (C13). Its constituent pitches are C, E, G, Bb, D, A.

How do you prevent the C13 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the C13 chord from buzzing or sounding muted, press the strings using the tips of your fingers at a strict 90-degree hammer angle. Position each finger immediately behind the fret wire with your thumb centered behind the neck.

Study sheet · High resolution

Official C13 chord diagram

C13 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the C family:

Chord C Chord C#m Chord Cm Chord C7 Chord Cmaj7 Chord C#m7 Chord Cm7 Chord Csus2