The short version
- A♭aug is A flat augmented, also written G♯aug. Its notes are A♭, C and E (formula 1 – 3 – ♯5).
- Easiest way to play it: a no-barre shape at the 4th fret, frets 4 x 6 5 5 x from low E to high E (x = don’t play).
- It sounds unsettled, dreamy, about-to-happen. Use it for one beat between the I chord and the IV or vi chord. It makes the change slide instead of step.
- A♭aug isn’t in any major or natural-minor key on its own. It’s a borrowed chord: you drop it in for colour or as a passing chord.
- Try it in: A♭ – A♭aug – D♭ – D♭m, a chromatic slide straight out of a 1960s ballad.
How to play A♭aug on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the movable shape, root on the 6th string (4th fret).
- Put your index finger on fret 4 of the 6th (low E) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string.
- Don’t play the A and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
- Strum from the 6th (low E) string down, then press Strum on this page to check it sounds the same.
Once that’s comfy, try the other shape. Shape 2 is the movable shape, root on the 5th string (11th fret): x 11 14 13 13 x. Same chord, different spot on the neck, which helps when the next chord lives nearby.
Slide it around: this shape has no open strings and no barre, so the same fingering works on any fret. Move it up two frets and it becomes B♭aug. One shape, twelve chords, zero extra homework.
Notes in the A♭aug chord
A♭aug is built from 3 notes. On guitar you’ll often play some of them twice, on different strings. That’s normal; the chord is still A♭aug.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| A♭ | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| C | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| E | ♯5 augmented fifth | The “something’s about to happen” bit. |
What A♭aug sounds like, and when to use it
A major chord with its fifth pushed up a semitone. Unsettled and dreamy, like the moment before a plot twist. Use it for one beat between the I chord and the IV or vi chord. It makes the change slide instead of step.
What key is A♭aug in?
A♭aug isn’t in any major or natural-minor key on its own. It’s a borrowed chord: you drop it in for colour or as a passing chord.
Chords that go with A♭aug
Here’s a progression to try: A♭ – A♭aug – D♭ – D♭m (I–I+–IV–iv), a chromatic slide straight out of a 1960s ballad.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using A♭aug in a Suno prompt
Suno pays attention to chord names in a style prompt, at least some of the time. Put the progression in, keep the BPM, and let it fill in the rest. Then compare its guitar part with the shapes above.
Psychedelic pop, 96 BPM, chord progression A♭ – A♭aug – D♭ – D♭m, augmented passing chords, chromatic guitar line, swirling organ, whimsical 60s vocals
A♭aug chord FAQ
What notes are in the Abaug chord?
A♭aug has 3 notes: A♭ (the root), C (the major third) and E (the augmented fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – ♯5.
How do you play Abaug on guitar?
The medium way is movable shape, root on the 6th string (4th fret). Strings from low E to high E: 4 x 6 5 5 x (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 4 of the 6th (low E) string. Put your middle finger on fret 5 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your ring finger on fret 5 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your little finger on fret 6 of the 4th (D) string. Don’t play the A and high E strings: skip them, or touch them lightly with a spare finger so they can’t ring.
Is Abaug the same as G#aug?
Yes. A♭aug and G♯aug are the same chord with the same fingering. They are just spelled differently. You’ll see G♯aug in sharp keys and A♭aug in flat keys.
What key is Abaug in?
A♭aug isn’t in any major or natural-minor key on its own. It’s a borrowed chord: you drop it in for colour or as a passing chord.
What is the difference between Abaug and Ab?
A♭ has a perfect fifth (E♭). A♭aug raises it a semitone to E, which makes the chord sound unsettled and dreamy.
What chords go well with Abaug?
Try A♭, D♭, Fm and A♭6. The progression A♭ – A♭aug – D♭ – D♭m (I–I+–IV–iv) is a chromatic slide straight out of a 1960s ballad. Press Play progression on this page to hear it.
Other augmented chords
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