Also written A♭aug or A♭+
A♭ augmented contains A♭, C, and E. The open voicing is a simple three-string shape, ideal for beginners.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A♭ augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, stacking two major 3rds: A♭ to C and C to E. The augmented 5th gives the chord its distinctive unstable quality. Compare it with A♭ major, which has a perfect 5th instead.
Use the supplied linked chords to hear its tension without adding unsupported harmony. It suits jazz, classical, and cinematic passages. Try it before A♭ major or after A♭ 7th.
The open position keeps the root A♭ in the bass and is the easiest to play. The 4th fret shape uses only the top three strings for a brighter, thinner sound. The 2nd fret inversion places A♭ on the low E string for a fuller register.
A♭ augmented is played in open position as × × × 1 1 0: index finger on the G string at fret 1 and middle finger on the B string at fret 1. The high e string rings open. The low E, A and D strings stay muted.
Tip — Muting the three lowest strings while fretting the top two requires precise hand positioning.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 1 | 2 | C (3) |
| 1 (e) | open | — | E (♯5) |
A♭ augmented is played at the 2nd fret as 4 3 2 × × ×: ring finger on the low 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, B and high e strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (3) |
| 4 (D) | 2 | 1 | E (♯5) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
A♭ augmented is played at the 4th fret as × × 6 5 5 4: pinky finger on the D string at fret 6, middle finger on the G string at fret 5, ring finger on the B string at fret 5 and index finger on the high e string at fret 4. The low E and A strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 6 | 4 | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 5 | 2 | C (3) |
| 2 (B) | 5 | 3 | E (♯5) |
| 1 (e) | 4 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
A♭ augmented is played at the 9th fret as × 11 10 9 9 ×: barre your index finger across fret 9, ring finger on the A string at fret 11 and middle finger on the D string at fret 10. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 11 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 10 | 2 | C (3) |
| 3 (G) | 9 | 1 (barre) | E (♯5) |
| 2 (B) | 9 | 1 (barre) | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
A♭ augmented is played at the 12th fret as × × × 13 13 12: middle finger on the G string at fret 13, ring finger on the B string at fret 13 and index finger on the high e string at fret 12. The low E, A and D strings stay muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 13 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 13 | 3 | C (3) |
| 1 (e) | 12 | 1 | E (♯5) |
A♭ augmented is written as A♭+ or A♭aug. The root is A♭, with ASCII alternative Ab. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
A♭ augmented raises the 5th from E♭ to E, creating two major 3rds. A♭ major has a perfect 5th and sounds stable, while A♭ augmented sounds tense and unresolved.
Yes, the 12th fret voicing places the root A♭ on the 3rd string, 13th fret. It sounds brighter and works well for arpeggios.