A Augmented Chord on the Guitar (A+) – Diagrams, Finger Positions, Theory

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.

A Augmented Chords 10 Ways

Further Reading

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