Tools / Chords / A augmented major 7th

A augmented major 7th chord on guitar (AaugMaj7)

Also written AaugMaj7, AaugM7 or A+M7

A augmented major 7th contains A, C♯, E♯, and G♯. The open voicing stretches the pinky to the 3rd fret on the D string while the index and middle crowd the first fret.

Open×-0-3-1-2-1

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

A1Root

C♯3Major 3rd

E♯♯5Augmented 5th

G♯7Major 7th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

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

Root positionA–C♯–E♯–G♯AaugMaj7Bass A

First inversionC♯–E♯–G♯–AAaugMaj7/C♯Bass C♯

Second inversionE♯–G♯–A–C♯AaugMaj7/E♯Bass E♯

Third inversionG♯–A–C♯–E♯AaugMaj7/G♯Bass G♯

Why it sounds like that

A augmented major 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7. The augmented 5th, E♯, is what separates it from the A major 7th, where the 5th is E natural. The major 3rd and major 7th remain unchanged.

What goes wrong with A augmented major 7th?

Letting the low E string ring instead of muting it.
Fretting the D string with the ring finger instead of the pinky, causing the note to go sharp.
Allowing the index finger to touch the B string, muting the 2nd fret note.

When to use it

A augmented major 7th works as a substitute for A major 7th when the melody moves to the ♯5. It fits jazz ballads and passages that need a brighter, more restless major sound.

Changing to and from A augmented major 7th

Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives A♭ augmented major 7th.
Sliding the shape up two frets to the 4th fret gives B augmented major 7th.

Which voicing to use

The open voicing keeps A in the bass and is easiest to reach. The C♯ inversion starting on the 4th fret puts the major 3rd in the bass and gives a tighter, higher register.

How do you play an A augmented major 7th chord on guitar?

Open

Beginner● On the diagram

A augmented major 7th is played in open position as × 0 3 1 2 1: pinky finger on the D string at fret 3, index finger on the G string at fret 1, ring finger on the B string at fret 2 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 1. The A string rings open. The low E string stays muted.

Tip — The pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the D string while the index and middle fingers hold the first fret, creating a wide stretch.

String-by-string breakdown

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

AaugM7/C♯ inversion

Barre

A augmented major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as × 4 3 2 2 4: barre your index finger across fret 2, ring finger on the A string at fret 4, middle finger on the D string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

AaugM7/E♯ inversion · open position

Beginner

A augmented major 7th is played in open position as 1 0 3 1 2 ×: index finger on the low E string at fret 1, pinky finger on the D string at fret 3, middle finger on the G string at fret 1 and ring finger on the B string at fret 2. The A string rings open. The high e string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

AaugM7/E♯ inversion · fret 2

Intermediate

A augmented major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as × × 3 2 2 4: ring finger on the D string at fret 3, index finger on the G string at fret 2, middle finger on the B string at fret 2 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E and A strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

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

AaugM7/E♯ inversion · fret 11

Intermediate

A augmented major 7th is played at the 11th fret as 13 12 11 13 × ×: ring finger on the low E string at fret 13, middle finger on the A string at fret 12, index finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the G string at fret 13. The B and high e strings stay muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	13	3	E♯ (♯5)
5 (A)	12	2	A (1)
4 (D)	11	1	C♯ (3)
3 (G)	13	4	G♯ (7)
2 (B)	muted	—	—
1 (e)	muted	—	—

Common questions

How is A augmented major 7th written?

A augmented major 7th is written A+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or AaugM7.

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

A augmented major 7th adds the major 7th, G♯, to the A augmented triad A–C♯–E♯. The 7th creates a leading tone back to A major.

Why does the open E string get muted?

The open E string is muted because E is not a chord tone in A augmented major 7th. Playing it would add an unintended 5th below the root.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (1)

4 (D)

E♯ (♯5)

3 (G)

G♯ (7)

2 (B)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

E♯ (♯5)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

C♯ (3)

4 (D)

E♯ (♯5)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

A (1)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

G♯ (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

E♯ (♯5)

5 (A)

open

—

A (1)

4 (D)

E♯ (♯5)

3 (G)

G♯ (7)

2 (B)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

muted

—

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

muted

—

4 (D)

E♯ (♯5)

3 (G)

A (1)

2 (B)

C♯ (3)

1 (e)

G♯ (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

E♯ (♯5)

5 (A)

A (1)

4 (D)

C♯ (3)

3 (G)

G♯ (7)

2 (B)

muted

—

1 (e)

muted

—