Also written AaugMaj7, AaugM7 or A+M7
A augmented major 7th contains A, C♯, E♯ and G♯. The default voicing is a one-fret barre with an open A string, making it compact but demanding precise finger placement.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A augmented major 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7. The augmented 5th, E♯, gives this chord its distinctive sharpened color, while the major 7th, G♯, adds a leading tone. Compare it to A major 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead.
A augmented major 7th works as a passing chord in A major progressions, often moving to A major or A minor. Its tense, unresolved quality suits jazz and modern classical passages. Try it before A major or A minor.
The default C♯ inversion keeps the bass on C♯, giving a bright, compact sound. The E♯ inversion at frets 2-5-4-4 places E♯ in the bass for a darker, more dissonant edge. The 9th fret voicing puts the root A in the bass, offering a full, balanced register.
A augmented major 7th is played in open position as 1 1 1 0: barre your index finger across fret 1. The A string rings open.
Tip — The index finger must barre three strings cleanly at the first fret while the open A string remains unmuted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 (barre) | G♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 1 | 1 (barre) | C♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 1 | 1 (barre) | E♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A augmented major 7th is played at the 2nd fret as 2 5 4 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 4 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) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 4 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
A augmented major 7th is played at the 9th fret as 10 9 9 11: 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 11.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 10 | 3 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 9 | 1 | A (1) |
| 2 (E) | 9 | 2 | C♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 11 | 4 | G♯ (7) |
A augmented major 7th is played in open position as 6 5 4 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 4. The A string rings open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 6 | 3 | C♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 5 | 2 | E♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 1 | G♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | open | — | A (1) |
A augmented major 7th is written A+M7, M7#5, maj+7 or AaugM7.
A augmented major 7th adds the major 7th G♯ to the A augmented triad. This gives it a leading tone that A augmented lacks.
The open A string is the root of the chord, so it reinforces the harmony. Muting it would remove the root and make the chord less stable.