Tools / Chords / F augmented major 7th

F augmented major 7th chord on guitar (FaugMaj7)

Also written FaugMaj7, FaugM7 or F+M7

F augmented major 7th is built from F, A, C♯, and E. This advanced open voicing stretches the left hand across all six strings while keeping the high E ringing.

Open · 1-0-2-2-2-01-0-2-2-2-0

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

F1Root

A3Major 3rd

C♯♯5Augmented 5th

E7Major 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 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 from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7. The augmented 5th (C♯) gives the chord its sharp, restless color, while the major 7th (E) adds a floating dissonance. Compare it to F major 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead of the raised ♯5.

What goes wrong with F augmented major 7th?

Letting the pinky collapse onto the high E string, which deadens the open note.
Pressing the A string accidentally with the index finger, muting the open A.
Striking the low E too hard, overpowering the chord's upper voices.

When to use it

F augmented major 7th works as a passing chord between F major and F major 7th, adding a brief moment of tension. Use it in jazz ballads or film-score passages where a single chord needs to sound both lush and unsettled.

Changing to and from F augmented major 7th

Move to <a href="/guitar/f-major-7-chord">F major 7th</a> by lifting the middle finger from the D string and placing it on the 1st fret of the high E string while keeping the other fingers in place.

Which voicing to use

The open voicing puts F in the bass and spreads the upper notes across the top strings, giving a full, ringing sound. The FaugM7/A inversion places A in the bass, creating a smoother, less grounded feel that works well when moving to a chord with A in the bass.

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

Open · 1-0-2-2-2-0

Beginner● On the diagram

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

Tip — The hardest part is fretting three adjacent strings at the 2nd fret with separate fingers while keeping the open high E clear.

String-by-string breakdown

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

Open · 1-0-3-2-2-0

Beginner

F augmented major 7th is played in open position as 1 0 3 2 2 0: 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 2 and ring finger on the B string at fret 2. The A and high e strings ring open.

String-by-string breakdown

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

FaugM7/A inversion · ×-0-2-2-2-1

Beginner

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

String-by-string breakdown

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

FaugM7/A inversion · ×-0-3-2-2-0

Beginner

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

String-by-string breakdown

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

FaugM7/A inversion · ×-12-11-10-10-12

Barre

F augmented major 7th is played at the 10th fret as × 12 11 10 10 12: barre your index finger across fret 10, ring finger on the A string at fret 12, middle finger on the D string at fret 11 and pinky finger on the high e string at fret 12. The low E string stays muted.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
6 (E)	muted	—	—
5 (A)	12	3	A (3)
4 (D)	11	2	C♯ (♯5)
3 (G)	10	1 (barre)	F (1)
2 (B)	10	1 (barre)	A (3)
1 (e)	12	4	E (7)

Common questions

How is F augmented major 7th written?

F augmented major 7th is written as F+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or FaugM7. The symbol FaugM7 is the most compact.

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

F augmented major 7th adds the major 7th (E) to the F augmented triad (F, A, C♯). The added E creates a more complex, unresolved sound than the plain augmented triad.

Why does F augmented major 7th sound unstable?

The augmented 5th (C♯) creates an augmented interval with the root, which naturally wants to resolve upward. Adding the major 7th (E) increases the tension, making the chord feel like it needs to move to a more stable harmony.

Can F augmented major 7th be used as a substitute for F major 7th?

Yes, but only briefly. Replacing the perfect 5th with the augmented 5th adds tension, so use it as a passing chord or to color a sustained F major 7th before resolving back.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

E (7)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C♯ (♯5)

1 (e)

open

—

E (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

F (1)

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C♯ (♯5)

1 (e)

open

—

E (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

E (7)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C♯ (♯5)

1 (e)

F (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

open

—

A (3)

4 (D)

F (1)

3 (G)

A (3)

2 (B)

C♯ (♯5)

1 (e)

open

—

E (7)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

6 (E)

muted

—

5 (A)

A (3)

4 (D)

C♯ (♯5)

3 (G)

1 (barre)

F (1)

2 (B)

1 (barre)

A (3)

1 (e)

E (7)