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D augmented chord on bass (Daug)
Also called or written Daug or D+
D augmented contains D, F♯, and A♯. The 3rd-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 D augmented chord on bass?
D augmented is played at the 3rd fret as × 5 4 3: ring finger on the A string at fret 5, middle finger on the D string at fret 4 and index finger on the G string at fret 3. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 3 | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 1 | A♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateThe ring finger reaches to the 5th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 3rd fret on the G string, creating a two-fret stretch.
8th fret
D augmented is played at the 8th fret as 10 9 8 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 10, middle finger on the A string at fret 9 and index finger on the D string at fret 8. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (1) |
| 3 (A) | 9 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 8 | 1 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Daug/F♯ inversion
D augmented is played in open position as 2 1 0 3: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, index finger on the A string at fret 1 and ring finger on the G string at fret 3. The D string rings open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | open | — | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 3 | 3 | A♯ (♯5) |
Daug/A♯ inversion · fret 4
D augmented is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 6, middle finger on the A string at fret 5 and index finger on the D string at fret 4. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (D) | 4 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Daug/A♯ inversion · fret 11
D augmented is played at the 11th fret as × 13 12 11: ring finger on the A string at fret 13, middle finger on the D string at fret 12 and index finger on the G string at fret 11. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 13 | 3 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | 12 | 2 | D (1) |
| 1 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
Why it sounds like that
D augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th from D to A♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it with D major, which lowers that fifth to A natural.
What goes wrong with D augmented?
- Letting the ring finger flatten onto the D string, which deadens the F♯.
- 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
D augmented works as a passing chord in D major, often moving to D major or D 5th. Its unstable sound suits rock, blues, and funk lines that need a brief lift before resolving.
Changing to and from D augmented
- Move to D major by lowering the A♯ on the G string one fret to A natural while keeping the other fingers in place.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 4th fret to reach E♭ augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 3rd-fret position keeps D in the bass for a root-position sound. The Daug/F♯ inversion at the 1st fret puts F♯ on the bottom, which softens the chord's drive and works well when the bass line moves stepwise.
Other D chords
Common questions
How is D augmented written?
D augmented is written as D+ or Daug.
What is the difference between D augmented and D major?
D augmented raises the fifth from A to A♯. That single change makes the chord sound tense and unresolved, while D major sounds stable.
Can I play D augmented higher on the neck?
Yes, the 8th-fret position uses the same shape on the E, A, and D strings. It gives a brighter register but the same chord tones.