Tools / Chords / F augmented major 7th

F augmented major 7th chord on bass (FaugMaj7)

Also written FaugMaj7, FaugM7 or F+M7

F augmented major 7th is built from F, A, C♯ and E. The default voicing requires a wide stretch and careful intonation on the high frets.

FaugM7/C♯ inversion9-8-7-9

Positions on the neck1 of 2

How it’s built

F1Root

A3Major 3rd

C♯♯5Augmented 5th

E7Major 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7

Positions on the neck1 of 2

Inversions

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

Root positionF–A–C♯–EFaugMaj7Bass F

First inversionA–C♯–E–FFaugMaj7/ABass A

Second inversionC♯–E–F–AFaugMaj7/C♯Bass C♯

Third inversionE–F–A–C♯FaugMaj7/EBass E

Why it sounds like that

F augmented major 7th is built as 1–3–♯5–7, with major thirds between F and A, and A and C♯. The raised fifth C♯ gives the chord its augmented tension, while the major seventh E adds brightness. Compare F major 7th, which has a perfect fifth C.

What goes wrong with F augmented major 7th?

Letting the pinky collapse onto the 1st string, causing a buzz.
Allowing the index finger to touch the 3rd string, deadening the A.

When to use it

F augmented major 7th works as a passing chord between F major and A major, or as a substitute for F major 7th in jazz. Its bright, tense sound suits modern jazz and fusion.

Changing to and from F augmented major 7th

Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives E♭ augmented major 7th.
Sliding the shape down one fret to the 6th fret gives E augmented major 7th.

Which voicing to use

The C♯ inversion places the augmented fifth in the bass, creating a restless, upward-pulling sound. The E inversion puts the major seventh in the bass, which darkens the chord and works well for descending bass lines.

How do you play an F augmented major 7th chord on bass?

FaugM7/C♯ inversion

Intermediate● On the diagram

F augmented major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 7 9: ring finger on the E string at fret 9, middle finger on the A string at fret 8, index finger on the D string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 9.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 9th fret on the 1st string while the index holds the 7th fret on the 2nd string, creating a wide stretch.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	9	3	C♯ (♯5)
3 (A)	8	2	F (1)
2 (D)	7	1	A (3)
1 (G)	9	4	E (7)

FaugM7/E inversion

Intermediate

F augmented major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 12 12 11 10: ring finger on the E string at fret 12, pinky 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.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	12	3	E (7)
3 (A)	12	4	A (3)
2 (D)	11	2	C♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	10	1	F (1)

Common questions

How is F augmented major 7th written?

F augmented major 7th is written F+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or FaugM7. It is also called augmented major seventh or major seventh sharp five.

What is the difference between F augmented major 7th and F augmented?

F augmented major 7th adds the major seventh E to the augmented triad F–A–C♯. F augmented lacks the seventh, so it has less harmonic pull.

Why does F augmented major 7th sound unstable?

The augmented fifth C♯ creates a symmetrical division of the octave, leaving no clear tonal centre. The major seventh E adds further tension, making the chord want to resolve.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

C♯ (♯5)

3 (A)

F (1)

2 (D)

A (3)

1 (G)

E (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

E (7)

3 (A)

A (3)

2 (D)

C♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

F (1)