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A Augmented Chord

Aaug stacks two major thirds, from A to C sharp and from C sharp to E sharp. The raised fifth keeps the chord from sounding like an ordinary major resting point.

  • Notes: A-C sharp-E sharp
  • Symbol: Aaug
  • Vaug in D major
  • Raised fifth
Switch chordAaug

How to play an A augmented chord

Notes: A - C# - E# · symbol Aaug

  • Root position

    A - C# - E#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    C# - E# - A
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    E# - A - C#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does A augmented belong?

In D major, the raised fifth can sharpen the pull of a dominant chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In D majorPushing dominant
    V+

    Raising the fifth to E sharp adds a note that climbs straight to the third of D.

    DIAaugV+DI
  • In A majorRising line
    I+

    The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from A to D.

    AIAaugI+A6I6DIV

Progressions to try

  • DAaugD

    The raised fifth of Aaug intensifies the dominant before the final tonic.

  • AAaugA6D

    The line moves from an ordinary major chord through Aaug to a sixth chord before changing harmony.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x0322x grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The xx7669 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 2110 is the easiest place to start. The 6558 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play A-C sharp-E sharp. Move A up an octave to reach the first inversion, C sharp-E sharp-A; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A is the root, C sharp the major third and E sharp the augmented fifth, eight semitones above the root.

  • Root position: A-C sharp-E sharp, with A lowest.
  • First inversion: C sharp-E sharp-A, written Aaug/C# if C sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E sharp-A-C sharp, written Aaug/E# if E sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Aaug differ from A?

Keep A and C sharp, then lower the raised fifth E sharp to E. That makes A; only one note has changed. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See A for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Aaug

    A - C# - E#
    C4

    A augmented

  • A

    A - C# - E
    C4

    A major

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