Explore chords · Ukulele
A♭ augmented chord on ukulele (A♭aug)
Also called or written A♭aug or A♭+
A♭ augmented contains A♭, C, and E. Its open position uses the open 3rd and 2nd strings, making it a beginner-friendly shape.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
How do you play an A♭ augmented chord on ukulele?
A♭ augmented is played in open position as 1 0 0 3: index finger on the G string at fret 1 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3. The C and E strings ring open.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (3) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (3) |
BeginnerFretting the 4th string at the 1st fret and the 1st string at the 3rd fret while keeping the open strings clean is the main challenge.
7th fret · ×-8-8-7
A♭ augmented is played at the 7th fret as × 8 8 7: middle finger on the C string at fret 8, ring finger on the E string at fret 8 and index finger on the A string at fret 7. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (♯5) |
A♭aug/E inversion
A♭ augmented is played at the 3rd fret as 5 4 4 3: pinky finger on the G string at fret 5, middle finger on the C string at fret 4, ring finger on the E string at fret 4 and index finger on the A string at fret 3.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 4 | C (3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (3) |
7th fret · 9-8-8-7
A♭ augmented is played at the 7th fret as 9 8 8 7: pinky finger on the G string at fret 9, middle finger on the C string at fret 8, ring finger on the E string at fret 8 and index finger on the A string at fret 7.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 9 | 4 | E (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (3) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (♯5) |
Why it sounds like that
A♭ augmented is built from a major 3rd between A♭ and C, and an augmented 5th between A♭ and E. The raised fifth gives the chord its bright, restless quality. Compare it to A♭ major, where the fifth is natural.
What goes wrong with A♭ augmented?
- Letting the index finger mute the open 3rd string.
- Pressing the middle finger too flat and deadening the 2nd string.
- Strumming before the middle finger fully frets the 1st string.
When to use it
Use the supplied linked chords to hear its tension without adding unsupported harmony. Its tense sound suits jazz and classical passages. Use it with A♭ major or A♭ 7th.
Changing to and from A♭ augmented
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 8th fret gives A augmented.
Which voicing to use
The open position puts A♭ in the bass and is the easiest to play. The 7th fret version mutes the 4th string and sounds brighter. For a C bass, use the A♭aug/C inversion at the 3rd fret.
Other A♭ chords
Common questions
How is A♭ augmented written?
A♭ augmented is written as A♭+ or A♭aug. On a keyboard, type Ab+ or Abaug. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does A♭ augmented sound unstable?
A♭ augmented has an augmented 5th, E, which creates tension. The chord's two major 3rds divide the octave symmetrically. This symmetry makes it want to resolve.
What is the difference between A♭ augmented and A♭ major?
A♭ major has a perfect 5th, E♭, while A♭ augmented raises that to E. The raised fifth gives A♭ augmented its distinctive unsettled sound.