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E♭ augmented chord on guitar (E♭aug)
Also called or written E♭aug or E♭+
E♭ augmented contains E♭, G, and B. The open shape mutes the two lowest strings and uses a simple two-finger grip.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionE♭–G–BE♭aug×-×-1-0-0-3
- First inversionG–B–E♭E♭aug/G3-2-1-0-0-3
- Second inversionB–E♭–GE♭aug/B×-2-1-0-0-3
How do you play an E♭ augmented chord on guitar?
E♭ augmented is played in open position as × × 1 0 0 3: index finger on the D string at fret 1 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 3. The G and B strings ring open. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | G (3) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (♯5) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 2 | G (3) |
BeginnerThe middle finger must reach the 3rd fret on the high e string while the index holds the 1st fret on the D string.
4th fret
E♭ augmented is played at the 4th fret as × 6 5 4 4 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 6, ring finger on the D string at fret 5, index finger on the G string at fret 4 and middle finger on the B string at fret 4. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 3 | G (3) |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (♯5) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
7th fret
E♭ augmented is played at the 7th fret as × × × 8 8 7: middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the B string at fret 8 and index finger on the high e string at fret 7. The low E, A and D strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 3 | G (3) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 | B (♯5) |
9th fret
E♭ augmented is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 × × ×: ring finger on the low E string at fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 10 and index finger on the D string at fret 9. The G, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 11 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 10 | 2 | G (3) |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (♯5) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
11th fret
E♭ augmented is played at the 11th fret as × × 13 12 12 11: pinky finger on the D string at fret 13, middle finger on the G string at fret 12, ring finger on the B string at fret 12 and index finger on the high e string at fret 11. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 2 | G (3) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 3 | B (♯5) |
| 1 (e) | 11 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th, B, is eight semitones above the root and gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to E♭ major, which has a perfect 5th instead.
What goes wrong with E♭ augmented?
- Let the low E string ring; it is not a chord tone.
- Let the A string ring; it is not a chord tone.
- Flatten the index finger onto the D string and mute it.
When to use it
E♭ augmented works as a passing chord in E♭ major progressions, such as E♭–E♭ augmented–A♭. E♭ augmented suits jazz, blues, and dramatic ballads. Try it before E♭ major or E♭ 7th.
Changing to and from E♭ augmented
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives C♯ augmented.
- From E♭ augmented, move to E♭ major by lowering the B to B♭ on the high e string.
Which voicing to use
The open position has E♭ in the bass and is the most accessible. The 4th fret shape uses four strings and is easier for quick changes. The 7th fret shape moves the chord up the neck for a brighter sound.
Other E♭ chords
Common questions
How is E♭ augmented written?
E♭ augmented is written as E♭+ or E♭aug. The ASCII root spelling is Eb. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
What is the difference between E♭ augmented and E♭ major?
E♭ augmented has a B, while E♭ major has a B♭. The raised fifth creates a tense, unresolved sound.
Can E♭ augmented be used as a substitute for E♭ major?
E♭ augmented can replace E♭ major briefly, especially when moving to a chord like A♭. It adds tension that resolves when the fifth drops back.