E seventh, flat nine, flat thirteen

E7(♭9♭13)

Also written E7b9b13

NotesE · G♯ · B · D · F · C
Formula1 · 3 · 5 · ♭7 · ♭9 · ♭13
E1B5D♭7F♭9C♭13G♯3
All its notes, from the root

Both minor-key tensions on one dominant: the ♭9 (F) and ♭13 (C) are the ♭6 and ♭3 of A minor, where E7(♭9♭13) resolves. It is the V chord straight out of A harmonic minor.

How pianists voice E7(♭9♭13)

Nobody plays a jazz chord in root position. These are the shapes that actually get played — the same ones Cadenza shows when you play the chord.

Shell Left hand

E1D♭7G♯3

1 · 3 · ♭7 — root, 3rd and 7th: the three notes that say what the chord is. Left hand, low; everything else is colour.

Rootless A From the 3rd

C♭13D♭7F♭9G♯3

3 · ♭13 · ♭7 · ♭9 — no root: the bass player has it. The left-hand voicing of modern jazz piano.

Rootless B From the 7th

D♭7F♭9C♭13G♯3

♭7 · ♭9 · 3 · ♭13 — the other half of the pair. A and B alternate through a ii–V–I so the hand barely moves. Without E underneath, the same keys read as Dø7 — the bass turns them into E7(♭9♭13).

Drop 2 Two hands

C♭13E1D♭7G♯3

♭13 · 1 · 3 · ♭7 — close position with the second voice from the top dropped an octave: wider, warmer, the standard for chord melody.

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