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Ab Augmented Chord

Abaug stacks two major thirds, from A flat to C and from C to E. The raised fifth keeps the chord from sounding like an ordinary major resting point.

  • Notes: A flat-C-E
  • Symbol: Abaug
  • Vaug in Db major
  • Raised fifth
Switch chordAbaug

How to play an Ab augmented chord

Notes: Ab - C - E · symbol Abaug

  • Root position

    Ab - C - E
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    C - E - Ab
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    E - Ab - C
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does Ab augmented belong?

In Db major, the raised fifth can sharpen the pull of a dominant chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In Db majorPushing dominant
    V+

    Raising the fifth to E adds a note that climbs straight to the third of Db.

    DbIAbaugV+DbI
  • In Ab majorRising line
    I+

    The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from Ab to Db.

    AbIAbaugI+Ab6I6DbIV

Progressions to try

  • DbAbaugDb

    The raised fifth of Abaug intensifies the dominant before the final tonic.

  • AbAbaugAb6Db

    The line moves from an ordinary major chord through Abaug to a sixth chord before changing harmony.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with xx6558, played at the 5th fret. Mute any strings marked x. The x-11-10-9-9-12 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 1003 is the easiest place to start. The 5447 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play A flat-C-E. Move A flat up an octave to reach the first inversion, C-E-A flat; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

A flat is the root, C the major third and E the augmented fifth, eight semitones above the root.

  • Root position: A flat-C-E, with A flat lowest.
  • First inversion: C-E-A flat, written Abaug/C if C is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: E-A flat-C, written Abaug/E if E is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Abaug differ from Ab?

Keep A flat and C, then lower the raised fifth E to E flat. That makes Ab; only one note has changed. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See Ab for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Abaug

    Ab - C - E
    C4

    Ab augmented

  • Ab

    Ab - C - Eb
    C4

    Ab major

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