A Augmented 7th
Hear the A Augmented 7th chord played for you.
A+7
A – C♯ – F – G
Formula:R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#5-b7
Introduction
The A Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of A, C♯, F, and G. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
The A Augmented 7th piano chord (A+7) consists of the notes A, C#, F, G. It is an augmented triad with an added minor 7th, giving it a bright, tense, and unresolved character with a strong upward pull. Formula: R-M3-A5-m7 | Scale degrees: 1-3-#5-b7.
Notes
A Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | A – C♯ – F – G |
| 1st Inversion | C♯ – F – G – A |
| 2nd Inversion | F – G – A – C♯ |
| 3rd Inversion | A – C♯ – F – G |
Key Signature
The key of A Augmented 7th has 3 sharps.
F♯C♯G♯
Order of sharps
Sharps are added to a key signature in a fixed order. Each new sharp key adds the next sharp on the list.
F♯C♯G♯D♯A♯E♯B♯
Mnemonic: Father Charles Goes Down And Ends Battle
Chords in the Key of A Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the A major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — A Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A5-m7
The A Augmented 7th is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A5-m7 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A5-m7 show the distance between each note in the chord.
A Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
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.
Practice Tips
- Play A7 then raise E to F (E#) — hear the augmented fifth's extra chromatic tension.
- Practice A+7 → D Major. E#/F and G both resolve to F# — converging voice leading.
- Compare A+7 with A7 — both resolve to D, but +7 adds richer chromatic colour.
- In jazz: Em7 → A+7 → Dmaj7 adds sophistication to the ii–V–I in D Major.
- A+7 is useful in blues turnarounds — substitute it for A7 at the end of a 12-bar form for a jazzier sound.
- The augmented triad (A–C#–F) divides the octave into three equal major thirds.
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.