An augmented chord is generally composed using a root/1st, major 3rd and an augmented 5th (or R/1-3-♯5) intervals played simultaneously, however any chord with a raised interval can be given the name "augmented" followed by the interval being raised (ie: Caug6). If there is no number following the aug then it is presumed to be an augmented triad (R/1-3-♯5). Generally written as C⁺ or Caug, it is good practice to simply use an upper case C and a super scripted plus symbol ⁺ (ie: C⁺) to represent it in writing.
The tonality of an augmented chord is dissonant, non-centered and unstable, as opposed to a major chord which is stable and resolved.
Augmented chord profile
Intervals | root/1st, major 3rd, augmented 5th or R/1-3-♯5 |
---|---|
Stability | Dissonant, unstable, unresolved |
Grouping class | Triad |
Common names (examples in C) | C⁺, Caug, C♯5, C(♯5) |
Chord shapes/voicings
Augmented chord table
Chord name | Root | Major third | Augmented fifth |
---|---|---|---|
C⁺ | C | E | G♯ |
C♯⁺ | C♯ | E♯ (F) | G![]() |
D♭⁺ | D♭ | F | A |
D⁺ | D | F♯ | A♯ |
D♯⁺ | D♯ | F![]() |
A![]() |
E♭⁺ | E♭ | G | B |
E⁺ | E | G♯ | B♯ (C) |
F⁺ | F | A | C♯ |
F♯⁺ | F♯ | A♯ | C![]() |
G♭⁺ | G♭ | B♭ | D |
G⁺ | G | B | D♯ |
G♯⁺ | G♯ | B♯ (C) | D![]() |
A♭⁺ | A♭ | C | E |
A⁺ | A | C♯ | E♯ (F) |
A♯⁺ | A♯ | C![]() |
E![]() |
B♭⁺ | B♭ | D | F♯ |
B⁺ | B | D♯ | F![]() |
Audio sample(s)
C Augmented chord voicing #1 |
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