Skip to content
Chord & Fret

Caug — augmented

Notes in Caug: C – E – G#Formula: 1 – 3 – #5

In the formula, the numbers count steps of the major scale starting from the note that names the chord; "b" lowers a half step, "#" raises one — and a slash names the bass note.

In the augmented chord the fifth rises by a semitone, leaving all three notes the same distance apart. With no resting note and no obvious direction, it hangs in the air, slightly dreamlike.

The same chord on all four instruments

Caug, x 3 2 1 1 0Caug3211×CEG#CE
Guitar
Caug, x 3 2 1 1 0Caug3211×CEG#CE
Electric guitar
Caug, 2 1 1 2Caug2113EG#CE
Cavaquinho
Caug, 1 0 0 3Caug12G#CEC
Ukulele

Where to use it: A bridge between two major chords (C → Caug → F), golden-age endings and soundtracks that want a moment of strangeness.

Every region of the neck hides more shapes of Caug. In Chord & Fret, you hear every shape strummed string by string, in each instrument's own voice; compare positions with their difficulty marked; and change the tuning — the shape rewrites itself. Start free. Unlock everything with Pro. Plays offline.

See the whole neck in Chord & Fret →

Part of the Triads family.

Other chords in this family

CCCCCmCmCmCmCdimC(b5)C5

See all chord types and qualities →