The short version
- Faug is F augmented. Its notes are F, A and C♯ (formula 1 – 3 – ♯5).
- Easiest way to play it: a no-barre shape at the 1st fret, frets 1 x 3 2 2 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.
- Faug 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: F – Faug – B♭ – B♭m, a chromatic slide straight out of a 1960s ballad.
How to play Faug on guitar, step by step
Start with the shape marked “Start here” above: the movable shape, root on the 6th string (1st fret).
- Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 6th (low E) string.
- Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string.
- Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 2nd (B) string.
- Put your little finger on fret 3 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 (8th fret): x 8 11 10 10 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 Gaug. One shape, twelve chords, zero extra homework.
Notes in the Faug chord
Faug 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 Faug.
| Note | Interval | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| F | 1 root | Names the chord and anchors the bass. |
| A | 3 major third | Makes it major (happy). |
| C♯ | ♯5 augmented fifth | The “something’s about to happen” bit. |
What Faug 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 Faug in?
Faug 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 Faug
Here’s a progression to try: F – Faug – B♭ – B♭m (I–I+–IV–iv), a chromatic slide straight out of a 1960s ballad.
More progressions → Transpose it →
Using Faug 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 F – Faug – B♭ – B♭m, augmented passing chords, chromatic guitar line, swirling organ, whimsical 60s vocals
Faug chord FAQ
What notes are in the Faug chord?
Faug has 3 notes: F (the root), A (the major third) and C♯ (the augmented fifth). The chord formula is 1 – 3 – ♯5.
How do you play Faug on guitar?
The medium way is movable shape, root on the 6th string (1st fret). Strings from low E to high E: 1 x 3 2 2 x (x means don’t play that string). Put your index finger on fret 1 of the 6th (low E) string. Put your middle finger on fret 2 of the 3rd (G) string. Put your ring finger on fret 2 of the 2nd (B) string. Put your little finger on fret 3 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.
What does the “aug” in Faug mean?
It tells you the chord type: Faug is F augmented. A major chord with its fifth pushed up a semitone. Unsettled and dreamy, like the moment before a plot twist.
What key is Faug in?
Faug 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 Faug and F?
F has a perfect fifth (C). Faug raises it a semitone to C♯, which makes the chord sound unsettled and dreamy.
What chords go well with Faug?
Try F, B♭, Dm and F6. The progression F – Faug – B♭ – B♭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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