Also written Caug or C+
C augmented contains C, E, and G♯. The open C and E strings make this shape easy to grab.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
C augmented is built from a major third and an augmented fifth above C. The raised fifth G♯ creates the chord's tense, symmetrical quality. Compare C major, which uses G natural instead.
C augmented works as a passing chord in C major, especially before C major or C 5th. Its unstable sound suits brief moments of tension in jazz or classical passages.
The default open position places the root C in the bass, giving a solid foundation. The E inversion at frets 1-4-4-3 puts the third in the bass for a brighter, less grounded sound.
C 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 middle finger reaches to fret 3 on the A string while the index finger holds fret 1 on the G string, requiring a small stretch.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 1 | 1 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | open | — | C (1) |
| 2 (E) | open | — | E (3) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C 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 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 3 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 4 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 2 | C (1) |
C 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 (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 2 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 3 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 3 | 1 | C (1) |
C 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 (1) |
| 3 (C) | 4 | 1 | E (3) |
| 2 (E) | 4 | 2 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 4 | E (3) |
C 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 (3) |
| 3 (C) | 8 | 2 | G♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 8 | 3 | C (1) |
| 1 (A) | 7 | 1 | E (3) |
C augmented is written as C+ or Caug.
C augmented raises the fifth from G to G♯, while C major uses G natural. This single change gives C augmented its distinctive tension.
The augmented fifth G♯ creates a symmetrical structure of two major thirds, which lacks the resolution of a perfect fifth. This makes C augmented naturally want to move to a stable chord.