G# Major 13th Guitar Chord
All positions and voicings on the fretboard
No playable voicings found for this chord. Try a different chord type or root note.
G# Major 13th filtered by fret:
G# Major 13th — chord details
The G# Major 13th chord is made up of the following notes: G#, B#, D#, F##, A#, E#.
Intervals: 1P, 3M, 5P, 7M, 9M, 13M.
The diagrams above show every voicing and chord variation for G# Major 13th on guitar. Use the fret filter to narrow down voicings within a specific fret range — ideal for finding close-proximity chords when composing or arranging.
Note: G# is enharmonically equivalent to Ab. Chord shapes are the same.
The G# major thirteenth is a rich, extended chord that stacks intervals up to the thirteenth — G#, B#, D#, F##, A#, E#, 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 G# Major 13th
On guitar, G# 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.
G# Major 13th in Progressions
G# 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
G#maj9, G#6/9, or G#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.