CifraLab

E13 Guitar Chord

E13 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
E13Guitar fingering diagram for E131234213STRING6ªE5ªB4ªD3ªG#2ªC#1ªE
View HD sheet

What sets E13 apart

The notes of E13 are E, G#, B, D, F# and C#. E is the root, G# the major third, B the fifth, D the minor seventh, F# the ninth and C# the thirteenth. Said aloud, its notes are E, G sharp, B, D, F sharp and C sharp.

From the low string to the high one you hear E, B, D, G#, C# and E. The root, E, shows up twice in the main shape. F#, the ninth, does not sound in this fingering. The lowest and highest notes are both E, two octaves apart, on strings 6 and 1.

E13 lets three strings ring open. String 6 gives E, string 4 gives D and string 1 gives E. Everything fits between frets 1 and 2. The second shape on this page starts at fret 12.

E7 is one change away. String 2 is left open, bringing in B, the fifth of E7. E13 holds the whole C#m chord inside it, E, G# and C#. The change that keeps the most fingers still is to E. Two stay in place.

E13 belongs to only one key, A major, where it is the V13.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01E E - C#m - F#m - B702G#m G#m - E - C#m - D#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (E13)

Formula: E13 (1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13)
Constituent chord intervals:

E 1G# 3B 5D ♭7F# 9C# 13

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 0 (E)

String Control (Muted & Active)6 / 6 • Active and muted strings status indicator

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for E13:

01

Open

Standard Position
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
○Open
EDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 2Finger 2
BDegree 5
4th String (D)
○Open
DDegree ♭7
3rd String (G)
Fret 1Finger 1
G#Degree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 2Finger 3
C#Degree 13
1st String (High E)
○Open
EDegree 1

Placement tip: Press: 5th String (A) at fret 2 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 1 with your Index finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 2 with your Ring finger. Play open: 6th String (Low E), 4th String (D), 1st String (High E).

02

position 12

Inversion
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 12Finger 1
EDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 12Finger 2
DDegree ♭7
3rd String (G)
Fret 13Finger 3
G#Degree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 14Finger 4
C#Degree 13
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

Placement tip: Press: 6th String (Low E) at fret 12 with your Index finger, 4th String (D) at fret 12 with your Middle finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 13 with your Ring finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 14 with your Pinky finger. Don't play: 5th String (A), 1st String (High E).

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (E13)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets1 to 2
Fretting fingers3
Open6th, 4th, and 1st
Mutednone

What to check

The open 6th, 4th, and 1st strings sit next to a fretting finger.

What every chord shares is in the fingering reading.

Transitions & Pivot Fingers

Most common chord transitions from E13

Listen: E13 → E · A · B7

  1. E13
  2. E
  3. E13
  4. A
  5. E13
  6. B7
E13 → E01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:2 fingers stay
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
  • finger 1: string 3, fret 1
Move
  • finger 3: string 4, fret 2
E13 → A02
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 3: string 2, fret 2
Move
  • finger 1: string 4, fret 2
  • finger 2: string 3, fret 2
E13 → B703
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 finger stays
Stay in place
  • finger 2: string 5, fret 2
Move
  • finger 1: string 4, fret 1
  • finger 3: string 3, fret 2
  • finger 4: string 1, fret 2

E13 in every key

E13 sits in the scale of 1 keys.

Main shape at a glance

Difficulty
1/5
Highest fret
2
Frets the hand covers
2
Barre
No
Strings that ring
6/6
Fretting fingers
3

Major keys

E13 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 (E13)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the E13 chord?

To play the E13 chord on guitar, all 6 strings are played from the 6th string (Low E) to the 1st string (High E). Arch your finger joints perpendicular to the fretboard so adjacent strings ring clearly.

What is the root bass note of the E13 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the E13 chord is its root note: E. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 0.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the E13 chord and what is its formula?

The E13 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13 formula (E13). Its constituent pitches are E, G#, B, D, F#, C#.

How do you prevent the E13 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the E13 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 E13 chord diagram

E13 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the E family:

Chord E Chord Eb Chord Em Chord Ebm Chord E7 Chord Eb7 Chord Emaj7 Chord Ebmaj7