Also written A7♯5, A or A Dominant 7th ♯5
A 7th sharp 5 contains A, C♯, E♯, and G. The open-position shape is a compact grip that suits quick dominant resolutions.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A 7th sharp 5 is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, ♭7. The augmented 5th (E♯) gives the chord its tense, altered-dominant quality. Compare with A 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead of the raised 5th.
A 7th sharp 5 works as a dominant chord in A major progressions, often resolving to A major or A 7th. Its altered sound suits jazz, blues, and funk when you need extra tension before a resolution.
The A7♯5/C♯ inversion at the open position places C♯ in the bass, giving a compact, bright sound. For a darker voicing, use the A7♯5/E♯ inversion at the 2nd fret, which puts E♯ in the bass.
A 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 0 1 1 0: index finger on the C string at fret 1 and middle finger on the E string at fret 1. The G and A strings ring open.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting two adjacent strings at the same fret without muting the open strings.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 2 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A 7th sharp 5 is played at the 2nd fret as 2 5 3 4: index finger on the G string at fret 2, pinky finger on the C string at fret 5, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and ring finger on the A string at fret 4.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 2 | 1 | A (1) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 4 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
A 7th sharp 5 is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 10: ring finger on the G string at fret 10, index finger on the C string at fret 9, middle finger on the E string at fret 9 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 10.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 4 | G (♭7) |
A 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 0 5 5 4: middle finger on the C string at fret 5, ring finger on the E string at fret 5 and index finger on the A string at fret 4. The G string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (♭7) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 5 | 3 | A (1) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 1 | C♯ (3) |
A 7th sharp 5 is played in open position as 6 5 3 0: ring finger on the G string at fret 6, middle finger on the C string at fret 5 and index finger on the E string at fret 3. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 1 | G (♭7) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A 7th sharp 5 is written as A7♯5 or A7+5. The symbol A7♯5 is the most common, and the chord is also called A dominant 7th sharp 5.
A augmented is a triad with notes A, C♯, and E♯. A 7th sharp 5 adds the minor 7th (G) to that triad, creating a four-note dominant chord.
The augmented 5th (E♯) creates an unstable interval with the root, and the tritone between C♯ and G adds further dissonance. This tension makes the chord want to resolve.
Yes, A 7th sharp 5 can replace A 7th when you want a more altered, tense dominant sound. It works especially well in jazz and blues progressions.