Augmented Chords on Guitar: Bright Tension and Where to Use Them

Augmented chords are the wild cards of the chord world. They sound bright, tense, and unresolved - like something beautiful that’s about to tip over. While you won’t use them in every song, knowing when and how to deploy an augmented chord adds a level of harmonic sophistication that separates experienced players from beginners.

What Makes a Chord Augmented?

An augmented triad has three notes: root, major 3rd, and sharp 5th (#5).

Chord Type	Formula	Notes (from C)
Major	1 – 3 – 5	C – E – G
Minor	1 – ♭3 – 5	C – E♭ – G
Diminished	1 – ♭3 – ♭5	C – E♭ – G♭
Augmented	1 – 3 – #5	C – E – G#

The sharp 5th is what creates the bright, ascending tension. Every note in the chord is a major 3rd apart (4 half steps), making augmented chords symmetrical - just like diminished 7ths.

Symmetry Property

Because all three notes are equally spaced (4 half steps apart):

C+ = E+ = G#+ (same three notes, different inversions)

This means there are really only 4 unique augmented triads:

C+ / E+ / G#+ (C, E, G#)
D♭+ / F+ / A+ (D♭, F, A)
D+ / F#+ / A#+ (D, F#, A#)
E♭+ / G+ / B+ (E♭, G, B)

Essential Augmented Chord Shapes

C+ (Root on 5th string)

e|---0---|
B|---1---|
G|---1---|
D|---2---|
A|---3---|
E|---x---|

G+ (Root on 6th string)

e|---3---|
B|---0---|
G|---1---|
D|---0---|
A|---x---|
E|---3---|

E+ (Open position)

e|---0---|
B|---0---|
G|---1---|
D|---2---|
A|---2---|
E|---0---|

Moveable Shape (Root on 5th string)

e|---x---|
B|---2---|
G|---2---|
D|---3---|
A|---x---|  (root)
E|---x---|

How to Use Augmented Chords

1. As Passing Chords

The most common use. Insert an augmented chord between a major chord and its target:

C → C+ → F (or Am)

The ascending #5 (G → G#) creates a smooth chromatic line that leads to the next chord. This is the “Love Me Tender” move.

2. Creating Chromatic Bass Lines

Build a descending or ascending chromatic line using augmented chords:

C → C+ → C6 → C7 (bass line: C stays, inner notes move chromatically: E-G, E-G#, E-A, E-B♭)

3. Gospel/Soul Turnarounds

Augmented chords are essential in gospel and soul music:

C → C+ → F → Fm → C - a gospel progression with the augmented chord adding upward motion.

4. Beatles-Style Sophistication

The Beatles loved augmented chords:

“Oh! Darling” uses them extensively
“From Me to You” features the famous augmented climb

5. Dominant Substitution

An augmented chord can substitute for a dominant 7th in resolving to the I chord.

Songs That Use Augmented Chords

“Oh! Darling” – The Beatles - Classic augmented chord usage
“Crying” – Roy Orbison - The augmented chord drives the emotional climax
“(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” – Otis Redding - Subtle augmented movement
“Wonderwall” – Oasis - Contains augmented passing tones
“Love Me Tender” – Elvis - The definitive augmented passing chord moment

Practice Exercises

Exercise 1: Passing Chord Application

Play: G → G+ → C. Four beats each. Feel how the G# (the #5 of G+) resolves up to A (the 6th of C) or C (the root of C).

Exercise 2: Chromatic Inner Voice

Play C → C+ → Am → C7 → F. Each chord keeps C as the bass while an inner voice moves chromatically: G → G# → A → B♭. Beautiful voice leading.

Exercise 3: All 4 Augmented Chords

Play C+ → D♭+ → D+ → E♭+ (and back). Since there are only 4 unique augmented chords, this covers all of them.

Common Mistakes

1. Overusing augmented chords. They’re spice, not the main course. One per progression is usually enough.

2. Not resolving them. Augmented chords create tension that needs resolution. Usually they resolve up by a half step (G+ → C) or to the relative minor.

3. Confusing augmented with dominant 7th. Both create tension, but augmented has a #5 while dominant 7th has a natural 5 and ♭7. Different sounds, different functions.

Try This in Guitar Wiz

Look up augmented chord voicings in the Chord Library - try C+, G+, and E+ to hear how they sound compared to their major counterparts. Experiment with building passing chord progressions in the Chord Progressions feature.

Download Guitar Wiz on the App Store · Explore the Chord Library →

FAQ

When should I use augmented chords?

As passing chords between major chords or before resolving to the IV chord. They work best as brief transition moments.

Are augmented chords common?

Less common than major and minor, but they appear frequently in Beatles songs, gospel, classic pop, and jazz.

What’s the difference between augmented and sus chords?

Augmented raises the 5th (creating tension upward). Sus chords replace the 3rd with the 2nd or 4th (creating suspension). Different notes, different effects.