D Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added (D7(b13)) chords on guitar
D7(b13) (D seventh flat thirteen) follows the formula 1, 3, 5, b7, b13, so on D it reads D, F#, A, C and Bb. A major third and a minor seventh form the tritone that wants to resolve, and the Bb is the flat thirteenth added on top.
In this spelling the flat thirteenth is Bb, a minor sixth above the root, enharmonic with a sharp fifth. The D Mixolydian b6 scale, the fifth mode of the melodic minor scale, lines up with D7(b13), because it contains all five chord tones.
Leave out the flat thirteenth Bb and what remains is the dominant seventh D7 (D, F#, A, C).
D 7th with flat 13th guitar chord is also written as D7(b13), D7b13 or D7-13.
Notes of the D 7(b13) chord:
Formula of the Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added chord:
Formula: 1 3 5 #5 b7
D 7(B13) Chord Interactive Fretboard
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Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
Which notes are in D7(b13)?
D, F#, A, C and Bb. The first four form a D seventh chord, and Bb is the flat thirteenth.
Is the Bb in D7(b13) the same pitch as A#?
Yes. Bb sounds like A#, the raised fifth, but here it is named Bb because it is a lowered thirteenth. The chord keeps the natural fifth A, a half step lower.
Which scale suits the D seventh flat thirteen chord?
The D Mixolydian b6 scale: D, E, F#, G, A, Bb and C. It contains all five chord tones and is the fifth mode of G melodic minor.
How does D7(b13) differ from D7?
D7 has D, F#, A and C. D7(b13) adds Bb, a minor sixth from the root one octave up, only a half step higher than the fifth A.
Where does D7(b13) tend to resolve?
A dominant seventh tends to resolve up a fourth, so D7(b13) leads to G. The flat thirteenth suits a resolution to G minor.
