Tools / Chords / C♯ augmented

C♯ augmented chord on bass (C♯aug)

Also 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.

2nd fret×-4-3-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

C♯1Root

E♯3Major 3rd

G♯♯♯5Augmented 5th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionC♯–E♯–G♯♯C♯augBass C♯

First inversionE♯–G♯♯–C♯C♯aug/E♯Bass E♯

Second inversionG♯♯–C♯–E♯C♯aug/G♯♯Bass G♯♯

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.

How do you play a C♯ augmented chord on bass?

2nd fret

Intermediate● On the diagram

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.

Tip — The 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.

String-by-string 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)

7th fret

Intermediate

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.

String-by-string 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

Intermediate

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.

String-by-string 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

Intermediate

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.

String-by-string 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

Intermediate

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.

String-by-string 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	—	—

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.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

muted

—

3 (A)

C♯ (1)

2 (D)

E♯ (3)

1 (G)

G♯♯ (♯5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C♯ (1)

3 (A)

E♯ (3)

2 (D)

G♯♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

muted

—

3 (A)

E♯ (3)

2 (D)

G♯♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

C♯ (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

E♯ (3)

3 (A)

G♯♯ (♯5)

2 (D)

C♯ (1)

1 (G)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

G♯♯ (♯5)

3 (A)

C♯ (1)

2 (D)

E♯ (3)

1 (G)

muted

—