Tools / Chords / G augmented major 7th

G augmented major 7th chord on bass (GaugMaj7)

Also written GaugMaj7, GaugM7 or G+M7

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

GaugM7/D♯ inversion11-10-9-11

Positions on the neck1 of 3

How it’s built

G1Root

B3Major 3rd

D♯♯5Augmented 5th

F♯7Major 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7

Positions on the neck1 of 3

Inversions

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

Root positionG–B–D♯–F♯GaugMaj7Bass G

First inversionB–D♯–F♯–GGaugMaj7/BBass B

Second inversionD♯–F♯–G–BGaugMaj7/D♯Bass D♯

Third inversionF♯–G–B–D♯GaugMaj7/F♯Bass F♯

Why it sounds like that

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

What goes wrong with G 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 B.

When to use it

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

Changing to and from G augmented major 7th

Sliding the shape down two frets to the 7th fret gives F augmented major 7th.
Sliding the shape down one fret to the 8th fret gives F♯ augmented major 7th.

Which voicing to use

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

How do you play a G augmented major 7th chord on bass?

GaugM7/D♯ inversion

Intermediate● On the diagram

G augmented major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 11: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 10, index finger on the D string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 11.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 11th fret on the 1st string while the index holds the 9th fret on the 2nd string, creating a wide stretch.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	11	3	D♯ (♯5)
3 (A)	10	2	G (1)
2 (D)	9	1	B (3)
1 (G)	11	4	F♯ (7)

GaugM7/F♯ inversion · open position

Beginner

G augmented major 7th is played in open position as 2 2 1 0: middle finger on the E string at fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string rings open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

GaugM7/F♯ inversion · fret 12

Intermediate

G augmented major 7th is played at the 12th fret as 14 14 13 12: ring finger on the E string at fret 14, pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 13 and index finger on the G string at fret 12.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (E)	14	3	F♯ (7)
3 (A)	14	4	B (3)
2 (D)	13	2	D♯ (♯5)
1 (G)	12	1	G (1)

Common questions

How is G augmented major 7th written?

G augmented major 7th is written G+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or GaugM7. It is also called augmented major seventh or major seventh sharp five.

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

G augmented major 7th adds the major seventh F♯ to the augmented triad G–B–D♯. G augmented lacks the seventh, so it has less harmonic pull.

Why does G augmented major 7th sound unstable?

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

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

D♯ (♯5)

3 (A)

G (1)

2 (D)

B (3)

1 (G)

F♯ (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F♯ (7)

3 (A)

B (3)

2 (D)

D♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

open

—

G (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (E)

F♯ (7)

3 (A)

B (3)

2 (D)

D♯ (♯5)

1 (G)

G (1)