Also written A♭aug or A♭+
A♭ augmented is built from A♭, C, and E. This open-position shape is a beginner-friendly first augmented chord on ukulele.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
A♭ augmented is built from the 1, 3, ♯5 formula, stacking two major 3rds: A♭ to C and C to E. The augmented 5th E gives the chord its unstable, symmetrical quality. Compare with A♭ major, which has a perfect 5th E♭ instead.
A♭ augmented works as a passing chord in A♭ major progressions, often moving to A♭ major or A♭ 5th. A♭ augmented suits jazz, blues, and dramatic classical passages. A♭ augmented's instability makes it a strong choice for building tension before a resolution.
The open position is the easiest A♭ augmented shape, with C in the bass. For a brighter sound, try the 9th fret position, which puts the root A♭ in the bass.
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.
Tip — The hardest part is keeping the open C and E strings clean while fretting the G and A strings.
| 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) |
A♭ augmented is played at the 1st fret as 1 4 4 3: index finger on the G string at fret 1, ring finger on the C string at fret 4, pinky finger on the E string at fret 4 and middle finger on the A string at fret 3.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | A♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 4 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (3) |
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.
| 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) |
A♭ augmented is played at the 4th fret as 5 4 4 7: ring finger on the G string at fret 5, index finger on the C string at fret 4, middle finger on the E string at fret 4 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 7.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 5 | 3 | C (3) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | A♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (♯5) |
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.
| 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) |
A♭ augmented is written as A♭+ or A♭aug. On a keyboard, the root is typed as Ab. It is also spelled G♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
A♭ augmented raises the 5th from E♭ to E, creating two major 3rds stacked. A♭ major has a perfect 5th, giving it a stable, resolved sound.
The augmented 5th E creates a symmetrical structure of two major 3rds, which lacks the perfect 5th anchor. This makes the chord want to resolve to a more stable harmony.