E augmented chord on bass (Eaug)

Also called or written Eaug or E+

E augmented contains E, G♯, and B♯. The open voicing keeps every string sounding, so the chord rings with a bright, unsettled edge.

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Practice E augmented chord

How it is built

ERootG♯Major thirdB♯Augmented fifth

Formula 1, 3, ♯5

Inversions

Root positionE–G♯–B♯Eaug0-3-2-1
First inversionG♯–B♯–EEaug/G♯4-3-2-×
Second inversionB♯–E–G♯Eaug/B♯×-3-2-1

How do you play an E augmented chord on bass?

E augmented is played in open position as 0 3 2 1: ring finger on the A string at fret 3, middle finger on the D string at fret 2 and index finger on the G string at fret 1. The E string rings open.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	open	—	E (1)
3 (A)	3	3	B♯ (♯5)
2 (D)	2	2	E (1)
1 (G)	1	1	G♯ (3)

BeginnerThe open voicing requires clean fretting on three adjacent strings while letting the low E ring, which can cause accidental muting.

5th fret

E augmented is played at the 5th fret as × 7 6 5: ring finger on the A string at fret 7, middle finger on the D string at fret 6 and index finger on the G string at fret 5. The E string stays muted.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	muted	—	—
3 (A)	7	3	E (1)
2 (D)	6	2	G♯ (3)
1 (G)	5	1	B♯ (♯5)

10th fret

E augmented is played at the 10th fret as 12 11 10 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 12, middle finger on the A string at fret 11 and index finger on the D string at fret 10. The G string stays muted.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	12	3	E (1)
3 (A)	11	2	G♯ (3)
2 (D)	10	1	B♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	muted	—	—

Eaug/G♯ inversion · fret 2

E augmented is played at the 2nd fret as 4 3 2 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 4, middle finger on the A string at fret 3 and index finger on the D string at fret 2. The G string stays muted.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	4	3	G♯ (3)
3 (A)	3	2	B♯ (♯5)
2 (D)	2	1	E (1)
1 (G)	muted	—	—

Eaug/G♯ inversion · fret 9

E augmented is played at the 9th fret as × 11 10 9: ring finger on the A string at fret 11, middle finger on the D string at fret 10 and index finger on the G string at fret 9. The E string stays muted.

Full note and interval breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	muted	—	—
3 (A)	11	3	G♯ (3)
2 (D)	10	2	B♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	9	1	E (1)

Why it sounds like that

E augmented is built from the 1, 3, ♯5 formula: E, G♯, and B♯. The augmented 5th, B♯, gives the chord its tense, symmetrical quality. Compare it with E major, which uses a perfect 5th instead.

What goes wrong with E augmented?

Letting the index finger collapse onto the open E string, killing the root.
Pressing the A string too far from the fret, causing a buzz on G♯.
Striking the G string too hard, making the high E overpower the chord.

When to use it

E augmented fits as a passing chord in E major progressions like E–A–B, the I–IV–V in E major. Use it to add tension before resolving to E major or E 5th. It suits rock, blues, and dramatic ballads.

Changing to and from E augmented

Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives D augmented; keep the same finger pattern and move all fretted notes together.

Which voicing to use

The open position puts the root E in the bass, giving a solid foundation. The 5th fret voicing raises the register for a brighter cut, while the Eaug/G♯ inversion places G♯ in the bass for a less stable, more directional sound.

Other E chords

Common questions

How is E augmented written?

E augmented is written as E+ or Eaug. The root is E.

What is the difference between E augmented and E major?

E augmented raises the 5th from B to B♯, creating an augmented 5th interval. This gives the chord a tense, unresolved quality compared to E major's stable perfect 5th.

Can E augmented be used as a substitute for E major?

E augmented can substitute for E major when you want a more dissonant sound. It works especially well in dominant contexts or as a passing chord.