Db Dominant Seventh Flat Thirteen Added (Db7(b13)) chords on guitar
Db7(b13) (Db seventh flat thirteen) and C#7(b13) are one chord under two spellings. On Db the notes are Db, F, Ab, Cb and Bbb: a root, a major third, a perfect fifth, a minor seventh and a flat thirteenth. Bbb is spelled that way so every note sits a third above the last by letter name.
Two notes carry the dominant pull, the major third F and the minor seventh Cb, which sit a tritone apart. Open C#7(b13) for the same chord under its other spelling. For melodies, reach for the Db Mixolydian b6 scale: it is the fifth mode of the melodic minor scale, and it holds all five chord tones.
Like any dominant seventh, it resolves most naturally to a chord a fourth above Db, and a minor chord there is a common target.
Db 7th with flat 13th guitar chord is also written as Db7(b13), Db7b13 or Db7-13.
Notes of the Db 7(b13) chord:
Chord Formula:
Formula: 1 3 5 #5 b7
Db 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
Why does Db7(b13) contain Bbb?
The thirteenth higher than Db takes the letter B. The major thirteenth is Bb, and lowering it by a half step gives Bbb, which sounds like A natural.
What notes does Db seventh flat thirteen contain?
Db, F, Ab, Cb and Bbb. The Cb is the minor seventh and sounds like B natural. The Bbb is the flat thirteenth.
Is Db7(b13) the same chord as C#7(b13)?
Yes, they sound identical. C#7(b13) is spelled C#, E#, G#, B and A, which has no double flats or double sharps, while Db7(b13) uses Db, F, Ab, Cb and Bbb.
Which scale fits Db7(b13)?
The Db Mixolydian b6 scale, spelled Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bbb and Cb, contains all five chord tones. It is the fifth mode of the melodic minor scale.
How does Db7(b13) differ from a plain Db7?
A plain Db7 has Db, F, Ab and Cb. Db7(b13) adds Bbb, a minor sixth from the root one octave up, which lies a half step higher than the fifth Ab.
