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C Augmented Chord

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

  • Notes: C-E-G sharp
  • Symbol: Caug
  • Vaug in F major
  • Raised fifth
Switch chordCaug

How to play a C augmented chord

Notes: C - E - G# · symbol Caug

  • Root position

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

  • 1st inversion

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

  • 2nd inversion

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

Where does C augmented belong?

In F 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 F majorPushing dominant
    V+

    Raising the fifth to G sharp adds a note that climbs straight to the third of F.

    FICaugV+FI
  • In C majorRising line
    I+

    The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from C to F.

    CICaugI+C6I6FIV

Progressions to try

  • FCaugF

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

  • CCaugC6F

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

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x32110 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x-x-10-9-9-12 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 1003 is the easiest place to start. The 5447 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: C-E-G sharp, with C lowest.
  • First inversion: E-G sharp-C, written Caug/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: G sharp-C-E, written Caug/G# if G 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 Caug differ from C?

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

  • Caug

    C - E - G#
    C4

    C augmented

  • C

    C - E - G
    C4

    C major

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