C♯ augmented (C♯aug) chord on banjo

Augmented triad (two major thirds) on C♯: the notes of the C♯aug chord are C♯ – E♯ – G𝄪. The same chord with a different spelling: D♭ augmented (D♭aug).

Dots show:

Basic shapeeasy

Position 6easy

Position 10easy

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What the C♯aug chord sounds like

An augmented triad is two stacked major thirds. It sounds floating, dreamlike and unresolved, and is often a passing chord (e.g. C → Caug → F or Am).

Notes of the C♯aug chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	C♯	root
3	E♯	major third (4 semitones)
5	G𝄪	augmented fifth (8 semitones)

How to play it – with fingering

Basic shape, barre at fret 2

String 1 (D): fret 3, ring finger (E♯4)
String 2 (B): fret 2, index finger (C♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 2, index finger (G𝄪3)
String 4 (D): fret 3, middle finger (E♯3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 2; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 6, barre at fret 6

String 1 (D): fret 7, ring finger (G𝄪4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, index finger (E♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, index finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 7, middle finger (G𝄪3)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 6; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Position 10, barre at fret 10

String 1 (D): fret 11, ring finger (C♯5)
String 2 (B): fret 10, index finger (G𝄪4)
String 3 (G): fret 10, index finger (E♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 11, middle finger (C♯4)

For the barre, lay your index finger flat across all the marked strings at fret 10; your other fingers press the higher frets.

Five-string banjo in open G tuning (g D G B D). The diagram shows the four long strings; the short 5th string (g) rings open – avoid it when G is not in the chord. In the diagram, × means the string is not played, and a circle means an open string.

Similar chords and substitutes

If C♯aug is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

C♯ – the raised fifth falls back to a perfect fifth
F♯ – as a passing chord it resolves here (V+ → I)

Same notes

Faug – the same notes with a different root
Aaug – the same notes with a different root

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the C♯aug chord?

C♯, E♯, G𝄪. The root is C♯; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, augmented fifth.

What is the easiest way to play C♯aug on banjo?

The easiest shape above is “Basic shape”, rated easy. We show 3 shapes, from open and easy versions to movable barre shapes higher up the neck.

How do I read the chord diagram?

Strings run from the lowest (left) to the highest (right) – tick “Left-handed” to mirror it. Rows are frets; a number at the side shows the starting fret. Dots are fingers (1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little), a long bar is a barre, × means don't play that string and ○ means play it open.

How is the C♯aug chord written?

The chord symbol is C♯aug (also written C#aug), and its full name is C♯ augmented.