C# Major 13th Guitar Chord — Drop B
Guitar chord voicings in Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#)
C# Major 13th Voicings in Drop B
C# Major 13th filtered by fret:
C# Major 13th in Drop B Tuning — Guide
The C# Major 13th chord is made up of the following notes: C#, E#, G#, B#, D#, A#.
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M.
The C# Major 13th chord in Drop B tuning (B-F#-B-E-G#-C#) requires different fingerings than standard tuning.
The C# major thirteenth is a rich, extended chord that stacks intervals up to the thirteenth — C#, E#, G#, B#, D#, A#, intervals 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M. In practice, some notes are often omitted to keep the voicing playable, but the effect is a wide, orchestral sound. Major thirteenths are the hallmark of sophisticated jazz arrangements and big band writing, conveying grandeur and harmonic completeness.
How to Play C# Major 13th
On guitar, C# maj13 typically requires a barre or partial barre voicing. Experiment with different positions to find the voicing that best suits your playing context — higher positions sound brighter and tighter, while lower positions offer more bass and resonance. CAGED system shapes help navigate these options efficiently.
C# Major 13th in Progressions
C# maj13 appears in various harmonic contexts depending on the key. Analyze the surrounding chords to determine its function — it may serve as a primary chord, a substitution, or a chromatic color chord that enriches the harmonic palette of a progression.
Common Substitutions
C#maj9, C#6/9, or C#maj7 simplify the voicing while preserving the chord's bright character.
Difficulty: This is an advanced chord on guitar — it requires precise finger placement and usually a barre or uncommon shape.