Chord Shapes

Major 13th

Intervals (practical): 1-3-5-7-9-13, with 11 usually omitted. This is the fully extended major-family chord and when voiced carefully (often as 3-7-9-13) it produces a very lush, orchestral major sound. On I it can act as a climactic tonic sonority at the end of a phrase, particularly in slow tempos. On IV it suggests sophisticated subdominant or modal harmony, especially if combined with a #11 in the melody. Because of its density it is used most effectively in arranged contexts where register and spacing can be controlled.