How to play the Emaj13 chord on guitar

The Emaj13 chord, pronounced "E major thirteenth," is a sophisticated and harmonically rich voicing that adds a touch of jazz-influenced complexity to any progression. Notable for its inclusion of the 7th and 13th scale degrees, this chord often appears in jazz, fusion, and R&B contexts. Its lush, expansive sound can elevate a simple melody or provide a captivating backdrop for improvisation.

The most popular way to play the Emaj13 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 7th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Emaj13 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger on the 7th fret of the 1st (high E), 2nd (B), 3rd (G), 4th (D), 5th (A), and 6th (low E) strings, forming a barre chord.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, start from the 6th (low E) string and strum downwards, making sure to include all six strings in your strumming motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Emaj13 chord, try playing an E major chord (022100) and adding your pinky finger on the 4th fret of the 4th (D) string. This will give you a basic Emaj13 sound without the complexity of the full barre chord shape.

The Emaj13 chord is typically played as an open chord, but learning the barre chord version can be useful for playing in different positions on the fretboard or creating a fuller sound.

Here's how to play an Emaj13 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 7th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 8th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 9th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 9th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Emaj13 chord adds a dreamy, jazzy quality to progressions, creating a sophisticated and slightly melancholic atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring Emaj13 include:

• I - vi - ii - V (Emaj13 - C#m7 - F#m7 - B7)
• ii - V - I (F#m7 - B7 - Emaj13)
• iii - VI - ii - V (G#m7 - C#7 - F#m7 - B7) Used in "I Wish" by Stevie Wonder
• I - IV - V (Emaj13 - Amaj7 - B7)
• vi - ii - V - I (C#m7 - F#m7 - B7 - Emaj13)

To master the Emaj13 chord, try playing each note individually, focusing on clarity and tone. Once comfortable, play the notes in pairs, such as E and G#, then B and D#, followed by F# and C#. Experiment with different combinations to develop finger strength and dexterity.

Next, practice strumming the chord while switching between Emaj13 and other chords like Emaj7 or E7. This will help you transition smoothly between chords in songs. Remember to start slowly and gradually increase your speed as you become more confident with the fingering and transitions.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Emaj13 chord.

1. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Emaj13, C#m7, F#13, B13, G#m7)
2. Still Crazy After All These Years by Paul Simon (Emaj13, Emaj7, A, E/G#, C#m7, F#m7, Bm7, Dmaj13)
3. Peg by Steely Dan (Emaj13, C#m7, A13, G#m7, F#m7, B13)
4. Lido Shuffle by Boz Scaggs (Emaj13, C#m7, A13, B13, G#m7, F#m7)
5. Captain Marvel by Chick Corea (Emaj13, D#m7, G#7, C#m7, F#7, B7, Bbm7, Eb7)
6. The Nightfly by Donald Fagen (Emaj13, F#m7, B7, C#m7, G#7, A13)
7. Deacon Blues by Steely Dan (Emaj13, C#m7, F#m7, B7, A13, G#m7)
8. Josie by Steely Dan (Emaj13, C#m7, G#7, A13, B13, F#m7)
9. I Got The News by Steely Dan (Emaj13, C#m7, F#m7, B7, A13, G#m7)
10. Hey Nineteen by Steely Dan (Emaj13, C#m7, G#7, A13, B13, F#m7)