How to play the Amaj13 chord on guitar

The Amaj13 chord, pronounced "A major thirteenth," is a sophisticated and jazzy guitar chord. It adds color and complexity to the basic A major triad with the inclusion of the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th notes. This chord is commonly used in jazz, fusion, and R&B music to create a rich and expansive harmonic texture. Notable songs featuring Amaj13 include Steely Dan's "Josie."

The Amaj13 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 1st fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Amaj13 chord on your guitar:

1. Use your index finger to barre the 1st fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st (high E) string.

To strum this chord, use a downward motion starting from the 5th (A) string, as the 6th (low E) string is usually muted or not played for this particular voicing of the Amaj13 chord.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Amaj13 chord, try playing an A major chord and adding your pinky finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd (B) string. This will give you a basic A6 chord, which captures some of the essence of the Amaj13 without the complexity.

Playing the Amaj13 chord as a barre chord allows for greater versatility and easier transitions when playing songs that require this complex chord.

Here's how to play an Amaj13 barre chord:

1. Barre your index finger across the 5th fret, covering all six strings.
2. Place your middle finger on the 6th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 7th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 7th fret of the 4th (D) string.
5. Strum from the 5th (A) string down to the 1st (high E) string.

The Amaj13 chord is often used to add a dreamy, ethereal quality to progressions, providing a lush and sophisticated sound. Some common chord progressions featuring Amaj13 include:

• I - vi - ii - V (Amaj13 - F#m7 - Bm7 - E7) Used in "The Girl from Ipanema" and "Cry Me a River"
• ii - V - I (Bm7 - E7 - Amaj13) Used in "Autumn Leaves" and "My Funny Valentine"
• I - vi - IV - V (Amaj13 - F#m7 - Dmaj7 - E7)
• iii - vi - ii - V (C#m7 - F#m7 - Bm7 - E7)
• I - iii - vi - ii (Amaj13 - C#m7 - F#m7 - Bm7)

To master the Amaj13 chord, start by playing each note individually, focusing on clear tone and intonation. Practice playing the notes in ascending and descending order, gradually increasing your speed.

Next, practice transitioning to and from the Amaj13 chord using common chord progressions. For example, try playing Amaj7 to Amaj13 and back, or Dmaj7 to Amaj13 to F#m7. Work on smooth transitions and consistent rhythm. With regular practice, you'll confidently incorporate this colorful chord into your playing.

Here are 3 popular songs you can play with the Amaj13 chord.

1. Sir Duke by Stevie Wonder (Chords: A, Amaj13, G, Gmaj7, F#m7)
2. Lowdown by Boz Scaggs (Chords: Amaj13, C#m7, F#m7, Bm7, E13)
3. Just the Two of Us by Grover Washington Jr. (Chords: Amaj13, C#m7, F#m7, Bm7, Dmaj7, E13)