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F augmented chord on bass (Faug)
Also called or written Faug or F+
F augmented contains F, A, and C♯. The 6th-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 an F augmented chord on bass?
F 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 | F (1) |
| 2 (D) | 7 | 2 | A (3) |
| 1 (G) | 6 | 1 | C♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateThe ring finger reaches to the 8th fret on the A string while the index stays at the 6th fret on the G string, creating a two-fret stretch.
11th fret
F 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 | F (1) |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 2 | A (3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 1 | C♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Faug/A inversion · fret 3
F 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 | A (3) |
| 3 (A) | 4 | 2 | C♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 1 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
Faug/A inversion · fret 10
F augmented is played at the 10th fret as × 12 11 10: ring finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and index finger on the G string at fret 10. The E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 12 | 3 | A (3) |
| 2 (D) | 11 | 2 | C♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 10 | 1 | F (1) |
Faug/C♯ inversion
F 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♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | 3 | 2 | F (1) |
| 1 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (3) |
Why it sounds like that
F augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th from F to C♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it with F major, which lowers that fifth to C natural.
What goes wrong with F augmented?
- Letting the ring finger flatten onto the D string, which deadens the A.
- 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
F augmented works as a passing chord in F major, often moving to F major or F 5th. Its unstable sound suits rock, blues, and funk lines that need a brief lift before resolving.
Changing to and from F augmented
- Move to F major by lowering the C♯ on the G string one fret to C natural while keeping the other fingers in place.
- Slide the shape up one fret to the 7th fret to reach F♯ augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 6th-fret position keeps F in the bass for a root-position sound. The Faug/A inversion at the 3rd fret puts A on the bottom, which softens the chord's drive and works well when the bass line moves stepwise.
Other F chords
Common questions
How is F augmented written?
F augmented is written as F+ or Faug.
What is the difference between F augmented and F major?
F augmented raises the fifth from C to C♯. That single change makes the chord sound tense and unresolved, while F major sounds stable.
Can I play F augmented higher on the neck?
Yes, the 11th-fret position uses the same shape on the E, A, and D strings. It gives a brighter register but the same chord tones.