The A augmented chord (A+) is an A Major chord, with a raised 5th. It contains the notes A, C# and E#.
The inclusion of the E# chord can be confusing. E sharp is the same note as F natural, so why not call it F natural? This is because the name augmented implies that the 5th of the scale is raised by a semitone. An F natural would imply that the 6th of the scale (F#) has been lowered by a semitone.
Each note of the A augmented chord is separated by an interval of a Major 3rd. Because every interval inside the A augmented chord is identical, it is known as a symmetrical chord. Another way of looking at this is as follows – If you play an augmented chord starting from any of the notes inside the A+ chord, the new chord will contain the same notes as the A augmented chord:
- The A augmented chord contains the notes A, C#, E#
- The C# augmented chord contains the notes C#, E#, Gx (that’s C double sharp, which is the same as A)
- The E# augmented chord contains the notes E#, Gx (same as A), C#
Some Quick A+ Chord Theory
- The A augmented chord contains the notes A, C# and E#.
- The A+ chord is produced by playing the 1st (root), 3rd and sharp 5th note of the A Major scale.
- The A augmented chord (just like all augmented chords) contains the following intervals (from the root note): Major 3rd, Major 3rd, Major 3rd (back to the root note).
- A augmented is an A chord, with the E raised to E#.
- The A augmented chord resolves naturally to the D minor or D Major chord.
10 Ways To Play The A Augmented Chord
If you’ve come to this page just to view some chord diagrams for A+, here they are.
Further Reading
