How to play the Cmaj13 chord on guitar

The Cmaj13 chord, pronounced "C major thirteenth," is a sophisticated and harmonically rich voicing. This extended chord adds the 7th, 9th, 11th, and 13th notes to the basic C major triad, creating a lush and complex sound. Commonly used in jazz, fusion, and neo-soul, the Cmaj13 can add a touch of elegance and intrigue to any musical arrangement.

The Cmaj13 chord is typically played as a barre chord on the 3rd fret of the guitar.

Follow these finger positions to play a Cmaj13 chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 3rd fret, creating a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the 5th fret of the 4th (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd (B) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the 1st (high E) string.

To strum this chord, use your pick or thumb to play all six strings in a downward motion, starting from the lowest (thickest) string.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Cmaj13 chord, try playing the notes C, E, B, and D individually on the first four strings. This voicing captures the essential notes of the chord without requiring a complicated fingering. As you progress, you can gradually incorporate more notes from the full Cmaj13 chord shape.

The Cmaj13 chord is more commonly played as individual notes rather than a full barre chord shape on guitar. While a barre chord version exists, it requires an advanced grip and is not as popular, especially for beginners. I'd recommend starting with a simpler voicing of the Cmaj13 chord before attempting the challenging barre chord shape.

The Cmaj13 chord adds a dreamy, jazzy flavor to progressions, creating a sophisticated and slightly melancholic atmosphere. Some common chord progressions featuring Cmaj13 include:

• I - vi - ii - V (Cmaj7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7)
• ii - V - I - vi (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj13 - Am7) Used in "The Girl from Ipanema"
• iii - vi - ii - V (Em7 - Am7 - Dm7 - G7)
• I - vi - IV - V (Cmaj13 - Am7 - Fmaj7 - G7)
• ii - V - I - IV (Dm7 - G7 - Cmaj13 - Fmaj7)

To master the Cmaj13 chord, try playing the notes individually, focusing on each string's sound. Once comfortable, play the notes together, letting each ring out. Practice transitioning between Cmaj13 and other chords you know.

Another helpful drill is to arpeggiate the chord, playing each note in sequence. This builds muscle memory and helps you memorize the chord's structure. Start slowly and gradually increase your speed. Experiment with different rhythmic patterns to keep things interesting and challenging.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Cmaj13 chord:

1. Clocks by Coldplay (Em7, Bm7, Cmaj13, D)
2. Dreams by Fleetwood Mac (Fmaj7, G, Cmaj13, Am7)
3. Desperado by The Eagles (G, F, Cmaj13, Am7)
4. I Won't Give Up by Jason Mraz (G, Cmaj13, Am7, Em7)
5. Gravity by John Mayer (G, Am7, Cmaj13, Em7)
6. Hello by Adele (Em7, G, Cmaj13, D)
7. Just the Way You Are by Bruno Mars (Cmaj13, Em7, Am7, D7)
8. The Way You Look Tonight by Frank Sinatra (Cmaj13, A7, Dm7, G7)
9. All of Me by John Legend (Em7, Cmaj13, G, D)
10. Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran (D, Em7, Cmaj13, G)