Eb Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth Guitar Chord (Eb13(#9)) | Easy Ways to Play It
Welcome to our tutorial on the Eb 13(#9) chord, a complex and rich sounding chord that belongs to the Dominant Chords family. This chord is known for its unique blend of intervals, which include the 1 (Root), 3 (Major Third), 5 (Perfect Fifth), b7 (Minor Seventh), #9 (Augmented Ninth), 11 (Perfect Eleventh), and 13 (Major Thirteenth).
The Eb 13(#9) chord is composed of the following notes: Eb, G, Bb, Db, F#, Ab, and C. Each of these notes contributes to the chord's distinctive sound, making it a popular choice in various genres of music, from jazz to rock. If you're new to dominant (7) guitar chords, you may find this chord to be a bit challenging, but with practice, you'll be able to master it.
Understanding the intervals that build this chord is key to learning how to play it. If you're unfamiliar with the concept of fretboard intervals, our tutorial about fretboard intervals can provide you with a solid foundation. This will help you understand how chords are constructed and how they can be manipulated to create different sounds.
The Eb 13(#9) chord, with its combination of major, minor, perfect, and augmented intervals, offers a wealth of harmonic possibilities. As you learn to play this chord, you'll also be developing your understanding of guitar music theory, which will enhance your overall musicianship.
As you progress in your guitar playing journey, you'll encounter more complex chords like the Eb 13(#9). Don't be intimidated by their complexity. With patience, practice, and a solid understanding of the underlying theory, you'll be able to master these more advanced chords.
Ready to dive in? Let's get started on learning how to play the Eb 13(#9) chord!
Notes of the Eb 13(#9) chord:
Tones of the Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth chord:
Guitar Patterns for the Eb Dominant Thirteen Sharp Ninth chord
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What makes the Eb13#9 chord a 'dominant chord' despite its complexity?
A chord is classified as dominant primarily by the presence of a root, a major third (3), and a minor seventh (b7). For the Eb13#9 chord, these core dominant tones are Eb (root), G (major third), and Db (minor seventh). The additional extensions like the #9, 11, and 13 add color and tension but do not change its fundamental dominant function.
Why are so many notes listed for the Eb13#9 chord (Eb, G, Bb, Db, F#, Ab, C)? Do I need to play all of them on guitar?
The listed notes (Eb, G, Bb, Db, F#, Ab, C) represent the full theoretical composition of the Eb13#9 chord, encompassing its root, major third, perfect fifth, minor seventh, augmented ninth, perfect eleventh, and major thirteenth. On guitar, it's often impractical or impossible to play all seven notes simultaneously in a single voicing. Guitarists typically select a subset of these notes, prioritizing the characteristic intervals (root, 3, b7, #9, 13) to create a playable and effective voicing that captures the chord's distinctive sound, often omitting the 5th or 11th for clarity or playability.
What is the specific musical contribution of the '#9' (Augmented Ninth) to the sound of the Eb13#9 chord?
The '#9' (F# in the case of Eb) is an 'altered' extension that creates a strong, yet appealing, dissonance against the major third (G) and minor seventh (Db) of the dominant chord. This tension gives the Eb13#9 its unique, 'complex and rich' character, making it a powerful and expressive chord often used to create a bluesy or jazzy dominant sound.
Why does the Eb13#9 chord include a Perfect Eleventh (Ab), and how does it relate to the major third (G)?
While a 13th chord theoretically includes the 11th (Ab in this instance), a natural 11th often creates a dissonant clash with the major third (G) in dominant chords, which can sound harsh. For this reason, guitar voicings of 13th chords often omit the 11th, or it is altered (e.g., a #11). However, the Ab is theoretically part of the extended dominant scale. When played, its inclusion or omission depends on the specific voicing and desired harmonic effect, contributing to the chord's 'overall complexity and richness' when present.