C♯ augmented (C♯aug) chord on guitar

The C♯ augmented chord (C♯aug) is an augmented triad (two major thirds), made of three notes: C♯ – E♯ – G𝄪. The same chord with a different spelling: D♭ augmented (D♭aug).

Dots show:

Easy versioneasy

Position 1medium

Position 3medium

Position 7medium

Position 9medium

Position 11medium

Tap a string on a diagram to hear just that string. The sound is generated in your browser with a physical string model.

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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

Easy version

String 1 (e): fret 5, index finger (G𝄪4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, ring finger (E♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, middle finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): not played
String 5 (A): not played
String 6 (E): not played

Position 1

String 1 (e): fret 1, index finger (E♯4)
String 2 (B): fret 2, middle finger (C♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 2, middle finger (G𝄪3)
String 4 (D): fret 3, ring finger (E♯3)
String 5 (A): fret 4, little finger (C♯3)
String 6 (E): not played

Position 3

String 1 (e): fret 5, ring finger (G𝄪4)
String 2 (B): fret 6, little finger (E♯4)
String 3 (G): fret 6, little finger (C♯4)
String 4 (D): fret 3, index finger (E♯3)
String 5 (A): fret 4, middle finger (C♯3)
String 6 (E): not played

Tuning: E A D G B E (low to high). String 6 is the thickest, the low E. 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 guitar?

The easiest shape above is “Easy version”, rated easy. We show 6 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.