Augmented

Augmented seventh chords

A dominant 7th chord with a raised 5th: R, 3, #5, b7 (C-E-G#-Bb). The #5 (G#) replaces the natural 5th, creating a whole-tone, tension-rich dominant that pulls strongly toward resolution. Functionally identical to C7#5; spelled here as an augmented dominant.

In every key

The same shape, moved. The symbols below are spelled the way the app spells them, which is the spelling the chord's own scale asks for rather than whichever accidental is easier to type.

  • Caug7
  • Dbaug7
  • Daug7
  • Ebaug7
  • Eaug7
  • Faug7
  • F#aug7
  • Gaug7
  • Abaug7
  • Aaug7
  • Bbaug7
  • Baug7

Voicings

Written in C, because that is the key the encyclopedia authors them in; every one transposes unchanged.

Root Position

C · E · G# · Bb

intermediate

C-E-G# augmented triad with Bb on top. The G# wants to climb to A (the 3rd of F) on resolution.

Rootless(3-#5-b7)

E · G# · Bb

advanced

Three notes 1-3-5 on E-G#-Bb. Let the bass place the C; resolve E and Bb inward on the V-I.

Where it turns up

A V chord with extra bite, resolving up a fourth (to F). Whole-tone-scale dominant color in the vocabulary of bebop turnarounds and the impressionist-influenced dominants of Bill Evans and Thelonious Monk.

Commonly swapped with

  • Same notes as C7#5
  • Augmented triad C-E-G# is symmetric, shares structure with E7#5 and Ab7#5
  • Resolves to F or Fm