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C♯ augmented chord on bass (C♯aug)
Also called or written C♯aug or C♯+
C♯ augmented contains C♯, E♯, and G♯♯. The 2nd-fret shape stacks three notes across adjacent strings, so the left hand stays compact but the stretch is real.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
How do you play a C♯ augmented chord on bass?
C♯ augmented is played at the 2nd fret as × 4 3 2: ring finger on the A string at fret 4, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and index finger on the G string at fret 2. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateThe ring finger reaches to the 4th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 2nd fret on the G string, creating a two-fret stretch.
7th fret
C♯ augmented is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 8 and index finger on the D string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 9 | 3 | C♯ (1) |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 2 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 1 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
C♯aug/E♯ inversion · fret 6
C♯ augmented is played at the 6th fret as × 8 7 6: ring finger on the A string at fret 8, middle finger on the D string at fret 7 and index finger on the G string at fret 6. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 8 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 2 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
C♯aug/E♯ inversion · fret 11
C♯ augmented is played at the 11th fret as 13 12 11 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 13, middle finger on the A string at fret 12 and index finger on the D string at fret 11. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 13 | 3 | E♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 2 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | C♯ (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
C♯aug/G♯♯ inversion
C♯ augmented is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 3 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 5, middle finger on the A string at fret 4 and index finger on the D string at fret 3. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 5 | 3 | G♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (1) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | E♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
C♯ augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th from C♯ to G♯♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it with C♯ major, which uses G♯ instead.
What goes wrong with C♯ augmented?
- Letting the ring finger flatten onto the D string, which deadens the E♯.
- Allowing the muted E string to ring, adding an extra note that changes the voicing.
- Pressing the middle finger too far from the fret, causing the D string to buzz.
When to use it
C♯ augmented works as a passing chord in C♯ major, often moving to C♯ major or C♯ 5th. Its unstable sound suits rock, blues, and funk lines that need a brief lift before resolving.
Changing to and from C♯ augmented
- Move to C♯ major by lowering the G♯♯ on the G string one fret to G♯ while keeping the other fingers in place.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret to reach D augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd-fret position keeps C♯ in the bass for a root-position sound. The C♯aug/F inversion at the 6th fret puts E♯ on the bottom, which softens the chord's drive and works well when the bass line moves stepwise.
Other C♯ chords
Common questions
How is C♯ augmented written?
C♯ augmented is written as C♯+ or C♯aug. The ASCII root is C#. It is also spelled D♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between C♯ augmented and C♯ major?
C♯ augmented raises the fifth from G♯ to G♯♯. That single change makes the chord sound tense and unresolved, while C♯ major sounds stable.
Can I play C♯ augmented higher on the neck?
Yes, the 7th-fret position uses the same shape on the E, A, and D strings. It gives a brighter register but the same chord tones.