How to Play a C Dominant 13 Flat 9 Chord on Guitar

Whenever you start throwing in more than the usual fifth and third to a guitar chord, the fingerings start to get interesting. In order to train yourself to play some of the more convoluted chords, it might be a good idea to learn a movable fingering pattern high up on the neck. The smaller fret spaces lets you learn how the chord is shaped and what it is supposed to sound like, while letting your fingers gain strength and dexterity.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Go up into the guitar's high register, past the twelfth fret. Fret the C on the A string with your middle finger. This note is found at the 15th fret of the fifth string. Congratulations, this the one easy note to fret in the entire chord.

2. Barre your index finger across the D, G and B strings at the 14th fret. You will be most concerned with the E and C# notes on the D and B strings. These two notes are the major third and flat ninth tones of the chord.

3. Fret the B flat note on the G string with your ring finger. This note is found at the 15th fret of the third string. B flat is the dominant seventh tone of the chord.

4. Fret the A on the high E string with your pinkie. This note is the 13th tone of the C major scale, and is the finishing tone for the chord. You will need to arch your pinkie high so that the B string can sound when the chord is strummed.

5. Strum the chord. If your fingers feel like a mangled wad of flesh and bone, don't worry. That feeling passes as you gain finger strength and flexibility.

Tips & Warnings

• This chord pattern is movable. As you gain confidence in playing the dominant 13 flat 9 chord, try moving the shape down the fretboard.
• This chord is resembles a dominant 7 flat 9 chord with the lowest four notes moved down one full step on the fretboard, while leaving the highest note unchanged.
• Finger strengthening exercises may be necessary to play this chord well.