A 7th sharp 5 chord on bass (A7♯5)

Why it sounds like that

A 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th, E♯, gives the chord its tense, unstable quality. Compare it to A 7th, which uses a perfect 5th.

What goes wrong with A 7th sharp 5?

• Letting the pinky collapse and mute the A string.
• Pressing the index finger too flat and buzzing the D string.
• Striking the open E string instead of the 13th fret.

When to use it

A 7th sharp 5 works as a dominant chord in A major progressions, such as A–D–E, the I–IV–V. Use it for blues, jazz, and funk lines that need a raised 5th. It pairs well with A major and A 7th.

Changing to and from A 7th sharp 5

• Sliding the shape down two frets to the 11th fret gives G 7th sharp 5. Keep the finger spacing identical while shifting.
• Move to A 7th by lowering the D string from the 11th fret to the 10th fret; the other fingers stay in place.

Which voicing to use

The E♯ inversion puts the augmented 5th in the bass, creating a dark, unstable sound. The G inversion has the ♭7 in the bass and is easier to reach at the 3rd fret. Choose the E♯ inversion for a more dissonant line.