CifraLab

G13 Guitar Chord

G13 guitar chord: see the fingering, compare positions, and hear it before you play.

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Shape 1/2
Chord shapes:(2 positions)
G13Guitar fingering diagram for G13Fret 34561×234×STRING6ªG5ª×4ªF3ªB2ªE1ª×
View HD sheet

What sets G13 apart

The notes of G13 are G, B, D, F, A and E. G is the root, B the major third, D the fifth, F the minor seventh, A the ninth and E the thirteenth.

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

G13 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 3 and 5. The second shape on this page starts at fret 3.

From G13 to Gm7b5 only two strings change, 3 and 2. G13 holds the whole Em chord inside it, G, B and E. Going to Bm, one position stays the same.

G13 belongs to only one key, C major, where it is the V13.

Chord Progressions

Explore recommended harmonic circles on CifraLab:

01G G - Em - Am - D702Bm Bm - G - Em - F#7
Music Theory & Formula

Component notes and harmonic structure (G13)

Formula: G13 (1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13)
Constituent chord intervals:

G 1B 3D 5F ♭7A 9E 13

Root Bass (Fundamental String)6th String (Low E) • Fret 3 (G)

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

2 Fretboard Positions

Other fretboard positions for G13:

01

Jazz / City Pop

Standard Position
4 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 3Finger 1
GDegree 1
5th String (A)
×Muted
Do not play
4th String (D)
Fret 3Finger 2
FDegree ♭7
3rd String (G)
Fret 4Finger 3
BDegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 5Finger 4
EDegree 13
1st String (High E)
×Muted
Do not play

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

02

Barre 3

Barre fret 3
6 / 6 stringsRoot: 6th String (Low E)
String Control (Muted & Active):
Root
6th String (Low E)
Fret 3Barre
GDegree 1
5th String (A)
Fret 5Finger 3
DDegree 5
4th String (D)
Fret 3Barre
FDegree ♭7
3rd String (G)
Fret 4Finger 2
BDegree 3
2nd String (B)
Fret 5Finger 4
EDegree 13
1st String (High E)
Fret 3Barre
GDegree 1

Placement tip: Barre fret 3. Press: 5th String (A) at fret 5 with your Ring finger, 3rd String (G) at fret 4 with your Middle finger, 2nd String (B) at fret 5 with your Pinky finger.

Biomechanics & Posture

Ergonomic tips to play without tension or fatigue (G13)

Standard Position

The shape in numbers

ItemIn this chord
Frets3 to 5
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 G13

Listen: G13 → Bm · Em · C

  1. G13
  2. Bm
  3. G13
  4. Em
  5. G13
  6. C
G13 → Bm01
Pivot / Anchor Finger:1 shared position
Stay in place
  • string 3, fret 4
Move
  • string 5, fret 2
  • string 4, fret 4
  • string 2, fret 3
  • string 1, fret 2
G13 → Em02
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
G13 → C03
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

G13 in every key

G13 sits in the scale of 1 keys.

Main shape at a glance

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

Major keys

G13 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 (G13)

The questions that come up most when playing this chord

Which strings are played and which are muted in the G13 chord?

To play the G13 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 G13 chord and on which string is it located?

The primary bass note of the G13 chord is its root note: G. In standard guitar tuning (EADGBe), this bass note is located on string 6 at fret 3.

When strumming or fingerpicking, strike this string first.

What notes make up the G13 chord and what is its formula?

The G13 chord is constructed using the 1 - 3 - 5 - ♭7 - 9 - 13 formula (G13). Its constituent pitches are G, B, D, F, A, E.

How do you prevent the G13 chord from buzzing or sounding muted?

To prevent the G13 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 G13 chord diagram

G13 guitar chord diagram with fingering for fingers 1 to 4
Download HD sheet

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Other chords in the G family:

Chord G Chord Gm Chord G#m Chord G7 Chord Gmaj7 Chord Gm7 Chord Gsus4 Chord Gadd9