Augmented Chords on Guitar: Theory, Shapes, and How to Use Them

Augmented chords on guitar are major chords with a raised fifth note, creating a bright, unusual, and tense sound. They are often used by guitarists and songwriters to create movement, add color, or smoothly connect one chord to another.

Although augmented chords may sound complex, their structure is simple: they are built by taking a major chord and increasing the fifth note by one semitone.

What Are Augmented Chords on Guitar?

An augmented chord is a three-note chord (triad) made of:

• Root note (1)
• Major third (3)
• Raised fifth (♯5)

The formula is:

1 – 3 – ♯5

For example, a C augmented chord (Caug or C+) contains:

Note	Function
C	Root
E	Major third
G#	Raised fifth

A regular C major chord contains:

C – E – G

By raising the fifth note from G to G#, the chord becomes:

C – E – G#

That small change creates the unique augmented sound.

How Augmented Chords Sound

Augmented chords often sound:

• Bright
• Suspenseful
• Unstable
• Dreamy
• Tense

The raised fifth creates tension because it moves the chord away from the stable sound of a normal major chord.

Unlike major chords, which often feel complete, augmented chords often sound like they want to move somewhere else.

For example:

C → Caug → F

The augmented chord creates movement between the two stable chords.

How Augmented Chords Are Built

Augmented chords are based on the major chord structure.

Chord Type	Formula	Example
Major	1 – 3 – 5	C – E – G
Augmented	1 – 3 – ♯5	C – E – G#
Diminished	1 – ♭3 – ♭5	C – Eb – Gb

The important change is the fifth:

• Major chord → perfect fifth
• Augmented chord → raised fifth

You can learn more about chord construction through this guide on guitar chord theory.

Augmented vs Major vs Diminished Chords

Understanding the difference between these chords makes augmented chords easier to recognize.

Major Chord

A major chord has a stable and bright sound.

Example:

C major:

C – E – G

Augmented Chord

An augmented chord keeps the major third but raises the fifth.

Example:

Caug:

C – E – G#

Diminished Chord

A diminished chord lowers both the third and fifth.

Example:

C diminished:

C – Eb – Gb

Chord	Formula	Sound Character
Major	1–3–5	Stable
Augmented	1–3–♯5	Tense and bright
Diminished	1–♭3–♭5	Dark and unstable

You can also compare related chord structures through the guide to diminished chords on guitar.

Common Augmented Guitar Chord Shapes

Augmented chords are less common than major and minor chords, but many guitarists use simple movable shapes.

Caug Guitar Chord

A common Caug shape uses:

• C as the root
• E as the major third
• G# as the raised fifth

This shape creates the classic augmented sound.

Gaug Guitar Chord

Gaug is built from:

• G (root)
• B (major third)
• D# (raised fifth)

It is often used as a transition chord because of its strong sense of movement.

Eaug Guitar Chord

Eaug contains:

• E
• G#
• C

It is another useful augmented shape for creating tension in chord progressions.

Because augmented chords often have symmetrical structures, some shapes can be moved around the fretboard more easily than traditional chords.

You can explore more movable patterns in this guide to guitar chord shapes.

Why Guitarists Use Augmented Chords

Creating Musical Tension

Augmented chords naturally create a feeling that something is about to happen.

They are often used before resolving to a more stable chord.

Example:

G → Gaug → C

The augmented chord adds a sense of movement between the chords.

Smooth Chord Transitions

Because the raised fifth is only one semitone away from another chord tone, augmented chords can create smooth transitions.

Songwriters use them to connect chords in a more interesting way.

Adding Color to Simple Progressions

A basic chord progression can become more expressive by replacing a regular major chord with an augmented version.

For example:

Basic:

C – F – G

More colorful:

C – Caug – F – G

How to Practice Augmented Chords

Step 1: Learn the Major Chord First

Before learning an augmented chord, understand its major version.

Example:

C major:

C – E – G

Caug:

C – E – G#

Step 2: Listen to the Difference

Play a major chord and then its augmented version.

Notice how the raised fifth changes the emotional character.

Step 3: Practice Chord Transitions

Try moving between:

• C → Caug
• G → Gaug
• E → Eaug

Step 4: Use Them in Progressions

Experiment with augmented chords as transition chords rather than using them everywhere.

Common Mistakes When Learning Augmented Chords

Confusing Augmented With Add Chords

Augmented chords and add chords are different.

• Augmented = changes the fifth
• Add chord = adds an extra note without changing the basic chord structure

For example:

• Caug = C E G#
• Cadd9 = C E G D

Forgetting the Raised Fifth

The defining feature of an augmented chord is the sharp fifth.

If the fifth is not raised, the chord is simply a major chord.

Using Too Much Tension

Because augmented chords sound unstable, they usually work best when they resolve to another chord.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “aug” mean in guitar chords?
“Aug” means augmented. It indicates that the chord has a raised fifth interval.

Are augmented chords major or minor?
Augmented chords are based on major chords because they contain a major third, but the raised fifth gives them a unique sound.

Are augmented chords difficult to play on guitar?
No. The theory may seem advanced, but many augmented chord shapes are simple once you understand the pattern.

Why do augmented chords sound tense?
The raised fifth creates harmonic tension, making the chord feel less stable than a normal major chord.

What is the difference between augmented and diminished chords?
Augmented chords raise the fifth and keep a major third, while diminished chords lower the third and fifth.