Category: John McLaughlin’s Unique 13th Chord Voicing

Mastering John McLaughlin’s Unique 13th Chord Voicing

Posted on by Modern Music Theory and Application

Please watch video above for detailed info:

Hi Guys,

Today, a quick look at the unique 13th chord Voicing of guitar maestro John mcLaughlin.

PART 1:

This unique voicing possesses a 7th a 9th with the 13th ringing out on top. It has a lovely sonorous tone :

Diagram showing a guitar chord with labeled notes: 3rd, 7th, 9th, and 13th. John McLaughlin 13 chord voicing.
Diagram of a 13th chord voicing showing the 3rd, 7th, 9th, and 13th notes, highlighting the unique structure.

This chord works really well because it’s a 1st inversion, and, without a root it gives us that slightly ethereal painted sound:

Diagram of a D13 chord showing the 13th, 9th, 7th, and 3rd notes labeled.
Diagram illustrating the D13 chord voicing with 7th, 9th, and 13th notes labeled.

PART 2:

The sonorous nature of this chord makes it shine when moving to a diminished 7th chord for a resolution:

Sheet music showing chord voicings labeled D13, F#dim7, and Em7. John McLaughlin guitar chord examples.
Chord diagram showcasing the D13, F#dim7, and Em7 voicings, essential for understanding the unique textures in John McLaughlin’s 13th chord progression.

This in turn rewards us with fantastic melodic sequences:

Chord chart showing musical notation for D13, F#dim7, Em7, E13, G#dim7, and F#m7 chords. John McLaughlin guitar harmony lesson.
Chord progression illustrating John McLaughlin’s unique 13th chord voicing with associated diminished and major chords.
Guitar chord diagram showing C13, Edim7, and Dm7 voicings.
Chord diagram illustrating the C13, Edim7, and Dm7 voicings, highlighting their unique structures and relations.

PART 3:

Now, let’s make a sequence by employing strong Major 9th chords that move to John’s brilliant voicing.

If we play the example below we can hear the resonant nature of the two chords.

Musical notation displaying EMaj9 and E13 chords, indicating finger placements on the guitar fretboard.
Chord diagram illustrating E Major 9 and E13 chord voicings in a musical lesson.

Now, let’s create a little chord sequence with them:

Sheet music showing chord voicings for EMaj9, E13, DMaj9, D13, and C13 with annotations and finger positioning in John McLaughlin's guitar style.
John McLaughlin Chord sequence illustration featuring E13, D13, and C13 voicings.

To complete the sequence, we will cadence with a13b9 chord back to the tonic D

Musical notation showing the John McLaughlin A13b9 chord and D/A chord with finger placements for guitar.
Chord diagram for A13b9 and D/A used in the sequence demonstrating John McLaughlin’s 13th chord voicing.

Here, is the full sequence:

Musical notation chart displaying John McLaughlin's various chord voicings including EMaj9, E13, DMaj9, D13, C13, A13b9, and D/A.
Chord sequence illustrating John McLaughlin’s unique 13th chord voicing alongside related Major 9th chords.

PART 4:

John, also makes good dramatic use of this chord by exploiting a pedal note in the bass for rhythmic drive.

Musical notation for a John McLaughlin guitar pedal riff, showing measures with notes and tablature.
John McLaughlin use of pedal note in chord riff.

FREE PDF DOWNLOAD:

13th chordDownload

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