Introduction

C Augmented on the piano — Notes: C – E – G♯ — C Augmented chord on the piano

The C Augmented chord is a three-note chord made up of C, E, and G♯. It is built from a root, major third, and augmented fifth.

The C augmented piano chord (Caug, C+) consists of three notes: C, E, and G#. It is formed by two stacked major thirds: C to E (4 semitones) and E to G# (4 semitones). This symmetrical structure gives the augmented chord its distinctive tense, floating, and unresolved sound. The C augmented chord is commonly used in jazz and classical music as a chromatic passing chord, a dominant substitute with a raised fifth, or to create harmonic tension before resolution.

Notes

Notes:C – E – G♯

C Augmented Inversions

Position	Notes
Root Position	C – E – G♯
1st Inversion	E – G♯ – C
2nd Inversion	G♯ – C – E

Key Signature

The key of C Augmented has no sharps or flats. Every note is natural, which makes it the easiest key signature to read on the staff.

Chords in the Key of C Major

These are the diatonic triads built on each degree of the C major scale:

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

A

B

I — C Major (major)

Degree	Numeral	Chord	Quality
1	I	C Major	Major
2	ii	D Minor	Minor
3	iii	E Minor	Minor
4	IV	F Major	Major
5	V	G Major	Major
6	vi	A Minor	Minor
7	vii°	B Diminished	Diminished

Related Chords

Dominant (V):G Major

Subdominant (IV):F Major

Theory: Intervals

Formula: R-M3-A5

Intervals: P1-M3-A5

The C Augmented is built by stacking intervals from the root note. The formula R-M3-A5 describes the scale degrees used. The intervals P1-M3-A5 show the distance between each note in the chord.

C Augmented — Frequently Asked Questions

What notes are in the C Augmented chord?

The C Augmented chord contains three notes: C (root), E (major third), and G# (augmented fifth — one semitone higher than a perfect fifth). The augmented fifth is what gives this chord its tense, unresolved quality.

How does the C Augmented chord differ from C Major?

The only difference between C Augmented and C Major is the fifth: C Major has a perfect fifth, while C Augmented raises it by one semitone to an augmented fifth (G#). This single change transforms a stable, resolved chord into one full of tension and forward motion.

What is the symbol for the C Augmented chord?

The C Augmented chord is written as Caug or C+. The "aug" or "+" symbol indicates the augmented fifth. In lead sheets and chord charts, both notations are common — Caug appears in classical and jazz contexts while C+ is common in pop and rock.

How do I use the C Augmented chord in music?

Augmented chords create tension and a sense of motion. The most common uses are: (1) as a chromatic passing chord between the I and IV chords (e.g., C → Caug → IV), (2) over a chromatic bass line moving upward, and (3) in jazz as a substitute for dominant chords. The augmented fifth wants to resolve up by one semitone.

What are the inversions of the C Augmented chord?

The C Augmented chord has a unique property: all three of its inversions are enharmonically equivalent. Because each note is separated by exactly 4 semitones (a major third), rotating the notes always produces the same interval structure. Caug in root position, first inversion, and second inversion all sound the same quality.

What songs use augmented chords?

Augmented chords appear in Oh! Darling (Beatles), which uses Aaug as a chromatic passing chord, and in many jazz standards as chromatic dominant substitutes. Stevie Wonder and Elton John frequently use augmented chords for their characteristic tension-building quality.

Practice Tips

Compare C Major and C Augmented back to back — press C–E–(perfect 5th) then C–E–G# to hear how the raised 5th creates tension.
The augmented fifth (G#) wants to resolve upward by one semitone — practice Caug → resolving chord to feel this motion.
All augmented chord inversions sound the same quality — explore this by playing root, first, and second inversions in sequence.
Use Caug as a chromatic passing chord: C Major → Caug → (IV chord) to hear its most common musical function.
Augmented chords divide the octave into three equal parts — Caug, Eaug, and G#aug are all the same chord (enharmonic). Verify this by playing each.
In jazz, try using Caug as a substitute for the V7 chord — the aug5 acts as a chromatic approach to the I chord's root.

Explore More

Augmented Chord in Other Keys

C#Db D D#Eb E F F#Gb G G#Ab A A#Bb B Cb

Parent Scale

C Major Scale

Browse all Augmented Chords →All C Chords →Learn about triads →

Related Lessons

Keep going with the Augmented chord — these pages cover the underlying theory, the connected reference material, and the practice tools that work with this chord.

C Augmented