How to play the Bbmaj13 chord on guitar

The Bbmaj13 chord, pronounced B-flat major thirteenth, is a rich and complex harmony often used in jazz, funk, and R&B music. This extended chord adds colorful notes like the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th to the basic Bb major triad, creating a lush and sophisticated sound. Notable songs featuring Bbmaj13 include Stevie Wonder's "Isn't She Lovely" and Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing."

The most common way to play a Bbmaj13 chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 6th fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Bbmaj13 chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 6th fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 8th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 8th fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play down across all six strings in one smooth motion.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Bbmaj13 chord, try playing a Bb major triad on the 6th, 5th, and 4th strings (1st fret, 3rd fret, and 3rd fret, respectively) with your 1st, 3rd, and 4th fingers. This gives you the essential notes of the chord without the complex fingering.

The Bbmaj13 chord is typically played as individual notes rather than as a barre chord, so I don't feel confident providing instructions on a popular barre chord version targeting beginners.

The Bbmaj13 chord is often used to add a sophisticated, jazzy flavor to chord progressions, creating a dreamy and slightly melancholic atmosphere. Some common progressions featuring the Bbmaj13 chord include:

• I - IVmaj13 - iii - vi (Bb - Ebmaj13 - Dm - Gm)
• IVmaj13 - V7 - iii - vi (Ebmaj13 - F7 - Dm - Gm)
• ii - V7 - Imaj13 (Cm - F7 - Bbmaj13) Used in "The Way You Look Tonight" and "Misty"
• Imaj13 - ii7 - iii7 - IVmaj7 (Bbmaj13 - Cm7 - Dm7 - Ebmaj7)
• iii - vi - IVmaj13 - V7 (Dm - Gm - Ebmaj13 - F7)

To master the Bbmaj13 guitar chord, start by playing the individual notes (Bb, D, F, A, C, G) separately. Focus on cleanly fretting and picking each note, ensuring they ring out clearly. Practice this drill slowly and gradually increase your speed.

Next, practice playing the notes in pairs, such as Bb-D, F-A, and C-G. This will help you transition smoothly between the notes when playing the full chord. As you become more comfortable, try playing different combinations of the notes to develop your dexterity and familiarity with the chord structure.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Bbmaj13 chord.

1. Isn't She Lovely by Stevie Wonder (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb7, F7)
2. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb7, F7)
3. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael (Bbmaj13, C6, Cm7, Ebmaj7, F9)
4. Time After Time by Cyndi Lauper (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Eb6, F6, Gm7)
5. Valerie by Amy Winehouse (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb6, F9)
6. Overjoyed by Stevie Wonder (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb6, F7)
7. All The Things You Are by Jerome Kern (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7b5, Ebmaj7, F7, Gm7)
8. Bésame Mucho by Consuelo Velázquez (Bbmaj13, Cm6, Dm7, Eb6, F7, Gm7)
9. Fly Me To The Moon by Frank Sinatra (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb6, F6, Gm7)
10. My Favorite Things by John Coltrane (Bbmaj13, Cm7, Dm7, Eb6, F7, Gm6)