C# Augmented Chord
C#aug stacks two major thirds, from C sharp to E sharp and from E sharp to G double sharp. The raised fifth keeps the chord from sounding like an ordinary major resting point.
- Notes: C sharp-E sharp-G double sharp
- Symbol: C#aug
- Vaug in F# major
- Raised fifth
C#aug
How to play a C# augmented chord
Notes: C# - E# - G##C#aug
Root position
C# - E# - G##1st inversion
E# - G## - C#2nd inversion
G## - C# - E#
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.
- Pushing dominantV+
Raising the fifth to G double sharp adds a note that climbs straight to the third of F#.
F#C#augV+F# - Rising lineI+
The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from C# to F#.
C#C#augI+C#6F#
Progressions to try
- F#C#augF#
The raised fifth of C#aug intensifies the dominant before the final tonic.
- C#C#augC#6F#
The line moves from an ordinary major chord through C#aug to a sixth chord before changing harmony.
Which shape should you use?
On guitar, start with x43225, a barre at the 2nd fret. Press the barred notes evenly and mute any strings marked x. The x-x-11-10-10-13 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 C sharp-E sharp-G double sharp. Move C sharp up an octave to reach the first inversion, E sharp-G double sharp-C sharp; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.
What are the inversions?
C sharp is the root, E sharp the major third and G double sharp the augmented fifth, eight semitones above the root.
- Root position: C sharp-E sharp-G double sharp, with C sharp lowest.
- First inversion: E sharp-G double sharp-C sharp, written C#aug/E# if E sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
- Second inversion: G double sharp-C sharp-E sharp, written C#aug/G## if G double 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 C#aug differ from C#?
Keep C sharp and E sharp, then lower the raised fifth G double sharp to G sharp. 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.
C#aug
C# - E# - G##C#
C# - E# - G#