Scale degrees · E major

The ♭13 of E is C

The ♭13 (flat thirteen, written b13) of E is C: a minor thirteenth above the root.

E — the root, 1C — the ♭13

How to find it

A 13th is a 6th an octave up, so it takes the 6th's letter: E, F, G, A, B, C.

Then the sound: a minor thirteenth is 20 semitones above E, which is exactly where C is — no sharp or flat needed.

Where you meet it

The ♭13 is an altered tension of the dominant chord, one of the notes of the altered scale.

In E7♭13:

E · G♯ · B · D · C

The ♭13 in every key

KeyThe ♭13
CA♭
GE♭
DB♭
AF
EC
BG
F♯D
D♭B𝄫
A♭F♭
E♭C♭
B♭G♭
FD♭

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