An augmented chord is generally composed using a root/1^st, major 3^rd and an augmented 5^th (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: C^aug6). 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, C+ or Caug, it is good practice to simply use an upper case C and a superscripted plus symbol (ie: C) to represent it in writing.

In guitar, the intervals of an augmented chord may not always be played in tonal order (root/1^st, major 3^rd, augmented 5^th, in this order) however the root note will always be the lowest tone (and most distinct) unless it is an inversion. For example: a C chord played on the 8^th fret using voicing #4 has a interval sequence of: root/1^st, augmented 5^th, root/1^st (octave) and major 3^rd or R/1-5-1-3.

The tonality of an augmented chord is dissonant, non-centered and unstable, as opposed to a major chord which is stable and resolved.

Augmented Triad

In music theory, an augmented chord belongs to a group of chords called triads. A triad is a three note chord composed using specific intervals, those being the root/1^st, the 3^rd and the 5^th degrees (note absence of interval quality). As previously shown, an augmented triad is composed using a root/1^st, major 3^rd and augmented 5^th (R/1-3-5) intervals. Other triads are built by raising or lowering the 3^rd and 5^th degrees. For instance, a major triad interval structure is root/1^st, major 3^rd and perfect 5^th (R/1-3-5). The interval structure for a diminished triad is root/1^st, minor 3^rd and diminished 5^th (R/1-3-5), and a minor triad is root/1^st, minor 3^rd and perfect 5^th (R/1-3-5).

Major, minor and diminished triads occur naturally in a harmonized major scale (triads), an augmented triad is simply a major triad with a raised fifth degree.

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, C5, C(5)

Augmented Chord Voicings

The chord voicings below are not shown in any particular key, they are shapes which can be moved around the guitar neck freely using the root note (circled dot) as your navigator. See example below.

• How to use
• As an example, let's say you require a D major chord
• After playing all the chord voicings, you decide on voicing #2
• Voicing #2 has it's root on the 5^th string so you need to find the D note on this string
• Click the notes on the neck chart tab and find the D note on the 5^th fret (5^th string)
• Now play D major using voicing #2 on the 5^th fret
• Use the Octave chart tab to help you remember which notes are where
• Use the Chord chart help tab if your a beginner at reading chord boxes

Augmented Chord Audio Sample(s)

To download audio sample(s) for later listening, right click on the MP3 link, then from the context menu that appears select Save Target As (Internet Explorer) or Save Link As (Firefox).

Audio Sample Name	Flash	MP3
C Augmented Chord voicing #1		c-augmented-chord-voicing-1.mp3

Related Lessons & Resources

• Guitar Lessons
• • How to read chord diagrams
  • Open chords part 1
• Music Theory
• • Harmonizing a major scale (triads)

External Resources

• Augmented chord at Wikipedia.org