A Augmented Chord (Aaug) on Piano
The Aaug chord (A augmented) is built from 3 notes: A – C# – E#.
Play these notes on a MIDI keyboard, your computer keyboard, or the on-screen keys and ChordKeys will name the chord back to you.
Notes and intervals
| Note | Degree | Interval from A | Semitones |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | 1 | root | 0 |
| C# | 3 | major 3rd | 4 |
| E# | #5 | augmented 5th | 8 |
Inversions
Rearranging which note sits at the bottom gives you 3 playable voicings of the same chord. Inversions let you move between chords with less hand movement.
| Voicing | Notes | Bass note |
|---|---|---|
| Root position | A – C# – E# | A in the bass |
| 1st inversion | C# – E# – A | C# in the bass |
| 2nd inversion | E# – A – C# | E# in the bass |
How the augmented chord is built
Every augmented chord uses the same interval formula: 1 (0 semitones), 3 (4 semitones), #5 (8 semitones). Starting on A and applying that formula produces A, C#, E#. Learn the formula once and you can build a augmented chord on any of the twelve roots.
Other chords on A
Augmented chords on other roots
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in a Aaug chord?
A Aaug chord contains the notes A, C#, E#. Those are the 1, 3, #5 degrees measured from the root note A.
How do you play Aaug on piano?
Place your thumb on A, then add C# and E# above it. With a right hand in root position the common fingering is 1–3–5.