Ebmaj13

Ebmaj13 is a jazz and popular music chord formed from a major seventh chord on Eb with added extensions 9 and 13. In shorthand it is written as Ebmaj7(9,13) or Ebmaj13. The 11th (Ab) is often omitted to reduce clashing tones, though it can appear in some voicings.

Notes and construction: In Eb major, the diatonic tones are Eb, F, G, Ab, Bb, C, D. A typical Ebmaj13 includes the root Eb, major third G, perfect fifth Bb, major seventh D, plus the ninth F and the thirteenth C. The 11th Ab may be included or omitted. Some spellings emphasize the core sonority as Ebmaj7(9,13) without the 11th.

Voicings and practical use: Common four- or six-note voicings are used to fit different contexts. A full six-note version might place the tones as Eb–G–Bb–D–F–C. A lighter four-note version could be Eb–D–F–C (root, major seventh, ninth, and thirteenth), which preserves the color while avoiding crowded tensions. Another common approach is to voice Ebmaj7 with the 9 and 13 nearby in the middle or top voices and omit the fifth if spacing is needed. Dropping the 5th or the 3rd is also a practical option in certain arrangements.

Function and use: Ebmaj13 serves as a colorful tonal color in jazz and contemporary harmony, often functioning as a bright color for a tonic area or as a passing or substitution chord in major-key progressions. It is typically heard in contexts where a smooth, uplifting color is desired, especially when resolving to a tonic maj7 or similar major harmony. Variations include Ebmaj9(13) or Ebmaj7(9,13) depending on the desired voicing and tension.