A♭ augmented (A♭aug) chord on piano

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

Root position: A♭3 – C4 – E4

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What the A♭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 A♭aug chord

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

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

A♭3 – C4 – E4

1st inversion

C4 – E4 – A♭4

2nd inversion

E4 – A♭4 – C5

Which keys is it in?

The A♭aug chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

F minor: III+

Similar chords and substitutes

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

Substitutes (by function)

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

Same notes

Caug – the same notes with a different root
Eaug – the same notes with a different root

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the A♭aug chord?

A♭, C, E. The root is A♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, augmented fifth.

How do I play the A♭aug chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

How is the A♭aug chord written?

The chord symbol is A♭aug (also written Abaug), and its full name is A♭ augmented.