Play the augmented chord on guitar

The augmented chord is a triad composed of a root, a major third and an augmented fifth. Notated aug or +, it creates a characteristic ascending tension.

Chord composition

IIII♯V
RootMajor thirdAugmented fifth
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Formula 1 - 3 - ♯5

Theory

The augmented chord is built with two successive major thirds (4 + 4 semitones). The augmented fifth (8 semitones) creates tension that calls for resolution. C augmented = C-E-G♯, D augmented = D-F♯-A♯. Like the diminished chord, it is symmetrical: each inversion produces another augmented chord.

Play the augmented chord on the guitar

The Augmented chord positions on guitar

Styles

Jazz Classique Bossa Nova Rock progressif

Augmented chord

Augmented chord has 1 - 3 - #5 formula, characterized by major third (4 semitones) and augmented fifth (8 semitones). This augmented fifth creates suspended and ambiguous sound.

Example C augmented: C - E - G#. Two stacked major thirds (C-E and E-G#), creating perfectly symmetrical structure.

Thanks to this symmetry, augmented chord divides octave into three equal parts (4 semitones each). There are only 4 unique augmented chords, each with 3 possible names.

Play augmented

Compact 3-4 string positions

  • Caug low position: On strings 6-5-4, symmetrical triangular shape
  • Jazz/bossa nova usage: Often in substitution of major chord to create chromatic movement (e.g., C - Caug - F)

Symmetry property

Caug = Eaug = G#aug. Only 4 distinct augmented chords: (C,E,G#), (C#,F,A), (D,F#,A#), (D#,G,B).

Harmonic technique

Augmented works excellently in whole-tone progressions (whole-tone scale). Use to create impressionistic or surreal atmosphere.

Learning augmented

Week 1 - Understanding function

  1. Play C major - Caug - C major. Feel elevation of fifth
  2. Practice sequence: C - Caug - F - Faug - Bb (whole-tone)
  3. Identify augmented as creator of ascending movement

Week 2 - Explore whole-tone scale

  1. Whole-tone scale: C-D-E-F#-G#-A# (only whole tones)
  2. Possible chords: Caug, Daug, Eaug, F#aug, G#aug, A#aug (all identical!)
  3. Create ambiguous and surreal progressions

Week 3+ - Musical application

  1. Use in bossa nova: Imaj7 - Iaug - vi
  2. Jazz: V7 substitution with Vaug
  3. Experiment chromatic resolutions