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Chord · Reference entry

A Augmented 7th

Augmented 7th · A – C♯ – E♯ – G · intervals P1-M3-A5-m7

The A Augmented 7th chord (Aaug7) contains the notes A, C♯, E♯, and G. Its interval formula is R-M3-A5-m7. A major triad with raised 5th and flat 7th — bright, unstable, often resolves to a minor I chord.

At the keyboard

A · C# · E# · G
Flashcards · Chord
Three questions on A Augmented 7th
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A+7

The A Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A, C♯, E♯, and G. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.

Construction

A Augmented 7th = Root + Major 3rd + Minor 6th + Minor 7th = A · C♯ · E♯ · G
NoteIntervalDegree
ARoot1
C♯Major 3rd3
E♯Minor 6th♯5
GMinor 7th♭7

A Augmented 7th Inversions

A Augmented 7th piano chord, 1st inversion — C♯, E♯, G, A
The A Augmented 7th chord, 1st inversion, on a piano keyboard.
A Augmented 7th piano chord, 2nd inversion — E♯, G, A, C♯
The A Augmented 7th chord, 2nd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
A Augmented 7th piano chord, 3rd inversion — G, A, C♯, E♯
The A Augmented 7th chord, 3rd inversion, on a piano keyboard.
PositionNotes
Root PositionA – C♯ – E♯ – G
1st InversionC♯ – E♯ – G – A
2nd InversionE♯ – G – A – C♯
3rd InversionG – A – C♯ – E♯

Key Signature

A Augmented 7th chord is built from symmetrical or ambiguous intervals, so it doesn’t belong to a single key and has no key signature of its own.

Same Notes, Other Names

The notes A – C♯ – E♯ – G aren’t exclusive to this chord. Depending on which note is the bass and how the chord functions, the same pitches also spell:

A Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions

What is the A Augmented 7th chord on piano?
The A Augmented 7th chord contains the notes A – C♯ – E♯ – G. On piano, play these notes together to sound the chord.
What notes are in the A Augmented 7th chord?
The A Augmented 7th chord (A+7) contains four notes: A (root), C# (major third), E# (augmented fifth, enharmonically F), and G (minor seventh). It combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh.
How does A Augmented 7th differ from A Dominant 7th?
Both contain A, C#, and G. A+7 has E#/F (augmented fifth) while A7 has E (perfect fifth). The raised fifth adds extra chromatic tension and upward pull.
How is A Augmented 7th used in music?
A+7 is an altered dominant resolving to D Major. The E#/F pulls up to F# while G pulls down to F# — converging on the third of D. Common in jazz, blues, and gospel contexts.
What genres use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords are common in jazz, gospel, blues, and R&B for adding emotional intensity to dominant resolutions.
What songs use Augmented 7th chords?
Augmented 7th chords appear in jazz standards and gospel. A+7 resolves to D Major, one of the most common keys in acoustic and popular music.
What is the difference between +7 and 7#5?
They are the same chord. A+7, A7#5, and Aaug7 all refer to A Augmented 7th.

Related Tools

Chord FinderLook up any chord — see the notes, hear it, and play along.Chord DrillTimed drills to build speed and recognition across all chord types.Practice RoomPlug in a MIDI keyboard and get real-time feedback on every chord and scale.Circle of FifthsVisualize key relationships, relative minors, and key signatures.MIDI MonitorLive MIDI message stream with note names, velocity, and a scrolling staff.

References & Further Reading

The note names, intervals, fingering, and harmony on this chord page are grounded in the following sources. Public domain treatises and scores are linked to their full text; primary data is piano.org's own interval-derived reference dataset — continuously maintained and human-verified, with no fixed publication date.

  1. 1

    Riemann, Hugo(1896)

    Harmony Simplified (English translation)

    Public domain treatise
  2. 2

    George Grove (ed.)(1900)

    A Dictionary of Music and Musicians

    Public domain treatise
  3. 3

    Beethoven, Ludwig van(1810)

    Für Elise, WoO 59 (A minor)

    Public domain score
  4. 4

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