G♭ Augmented 7th
Also Known As
Hear the G♭ Augmented 7th chord played for you.
G♭+7
G♭ – B♭ – D – E
Formula:R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals:P1-M3-A5-m7
Scale Degrees:1-3-#5-b7
Introduction
The G♭ Augmented 7th chord is a four-note chord made up of G♭, B♭, D, and E. It is built from a root, major third, augmented fifth, and minor seventh.
The Gb Augmented 7th piano chord (Gb+7) consists of the notes Gb, Bb, D, E. 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
G♭ Augmented 7th Inversions
| Position | Notes |
|---|---|
| Root Position | Gb – Bb – D – E |
| 1st Inversion | Bb – D – E – Gb |
| 2nd Inversion | D – E – Gb – Bb |
| 3rd Inversion | Gb – Bb – D – E |
Key Signature
The key of Gb Augmented 7th has 6 flats.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭
Order of flats
Flats are added in a fixed order — the reverse of the sharp order. Each new flat key adds the next flat on the list.
B♭E♭A♭D♭G♭C♭F♭
Mnemonic: Battle Ends And Down Goes Charles’ Father
Chords in the Key of Gb Major
These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the Gb major scale:
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
A
B
I — G♭ Major (major)
Theory: Intervals
Formula: R-M3-A5-m7
Intervals: P1-M3-A5-m7
The G♭ 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.
G♭ Augmented 7th — Frequently Asked Questions
What notes are in the Gb Augmented 7th chord?
The Gb Augmented 7th chord (Gb+7) contains four notes: Gb (root), Bb (major third), D (augmented fifth), and Fb (minor seventh, enharmonically E). It combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh.
How does Gb Augmented 7th differ from Gb Dominant 7th?
Both contain Gb, Bb, and Fb. Gb+7 has D (augmented fifth) while Gb7 has Db (perfect fifth). The raised fifth adds extra tension.
How is Gb Augmented 7th used in music?
Gb+7 is an altered dominant resolving to Cb/B Major. The D pulls up to Eb while Fb pulls down to Eb — converging voice leading. In practice, the enharmonic F#+7 is more commonly used.
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. Whether spelled Gb+7 or F#+7, the sound is identical.
What is the difference between +7 and 7#5?
They are the same chord. Gb+7, Gb7#5, and Gbaug7 all refer to Gb Augmented 7th.
Practice Tips
- Play Gb7 then raise Db to D — hear the augmented fifth's extra tension.
- Practice Gb+7 → Cb Major (enharmonically F#+7 → B Major).
- Gb+7 and F#+7 are enharmonic equivalents — practice both spellings.
- Compare Gb+7 with Gb7 — both resolve to Cb/B, but +7 adds chromatic richness.
- The augmented triad (Gb–Bb–D) divides the octave symmetrically into three major thirds.
- Try Gb+7 in a jazz reharmonisation: substitute it for any Gb7 or F#7 for added colour.
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.