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

> Learn augmented chords on guitar - shapes, theory, and creative uses. These bright, tense chords add color and sophistication to your playing.

Source: https://guitarwiz.app/articles/augmented-chords-guitar

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:
1. C+ / E+ / G#+ (C, E, G#)
2. D♭+ / F+ / A+ (D♭, F, A)
3. D+ / F#+ / A#+ (D, F#, A#)
4. E♭+ / G+ / B+ (E♭, G, B)

## Essential Augmented Chord Shapes

### C+ (Root on 5th string) (x11232)

### G+ (Root on 6th string) (x30103)

### E+ (Open position) (001220)

### Moveable Shape (Root on 5th string) (xx2232)

## 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

1. **"Oh! Darling" – The Beatles** - Classic augmented chord usage
2. **"Crying" – Roy Orbison** - The augmented chord drives the emotional climax
3. **"(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" – Otis Redding** - Subtle augmented movement
4. **"Wonderwall" – Oasis** - Contains augmented passing tones
5. **"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](https://apps.apple.com/app/apple-store/id6740015002?pt=643962&ct=article-augmented&mt=8) · [Explore the Chord Library →](/guitar-chords)

## 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.

### People Also Ask

**What is an augmented chord?** A three-note chord with a root, major 3rd, and raised (sharp) 5th. It sounds bright and tense, wanting to resolve.

**How do you play augmented chords on guitar?** Several shapes exist. The most common uses an open E+, G+, or C+ shape. All augmented chord shapes are moveable.

**Why are augmented chords used?** To create tension, smooth voice leading, and chromatic motion between other chords. They add sophistication to simple progressions.