Dbm13: guitar chord voicings, inversions, scales and arpeggios

Dbm13 (m13) is an interactive GuitarArcanum page with chord formula, intervals, voicings, inversions, triads, pentatonic patterns, scales and arpeggios on the fretboard.

Chord formula

Interval formula: 1 b3 5 b7 9 11 13. A minor chord with the 13th (a natural 6th an octave up) — a full, smooth minor with Dorian light.

Chord tones

The natural 13th points to the Dorian mode. The 11th doesn't clash over the minor, but you still usually pick three or four colors: b3, b7, 9, 13.

Sound character

Full, smooth, Dorian minor — common in neo-soul and modal jazz.

Harmonic function

A (Dorian) minor tonic or the ii chord. Stable.

Typical progressions

  • Dbm13 (Dorian vamp)
  • Ebm13 – Ab13 – Dbmaj7
  • Dbm13 – Gb13

Guitar voicing advice

Root on the 6th or 5th string with b7, 9 and 13 on top. Drop the 5th and 11th.

Compatible scales for Dbm13

Other chord qualities on the Db root

Compare this chord with other qualities sharing the same root.