Explore chords · Ukulele
D augmented chord on ukulele (Daug)
Also called or written Daug or D+
D augmented contains D, F♯, and A♯. Its 1st fret shape mutes the 4th string and frets three notes in a compact diagonal.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionD–F♯–A♯Daug×-2-2-1
- First inversionF♯–A♯–DDaug/F♯7-6-6-5
- Second inversionA♯–D–F♯Daug/A♯11-10-10-9
How do you play a D augmented chord on ukulele?
D augmented is played at the 1st fret as × 2 2 1: middle finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 2 and index finger on the A string at fret 1. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateMuting the 4th string while fretting the other three strings cleanly is the main challenge.
Daug/F♯ inversion
D augmented is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 6 5: pinky finger on the G string at fret 7, middle finger on the C string at fret 6, ring finger on the E string at fret 6 and index finger on the A string at fret 5.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 7 | 4 | D (1) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | D (1) |
Daug/A♯ inversion
D augmented is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 10 9: pinky finger on the G string at fret 11, middle finger on the C string at fret 10, ring finger on the E string at fret 10 and index finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 11 | 4 | F♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 2 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 3 | D (1) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (3) |
1st fret · 3-2-2-1
D augmented is played at the 1st fret as 3 2 2 1: pinky finger on the G string at fret 3, middle finger on the C string at fret 2, ring finger on the E string at fret 2 and index finger on the A string at fret 1.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 3 | 4 | A♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | D (1) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (♯5) |
Why it sounds like that
D augmented is built from a major 3rd between D and F♯, and an augmented 5th between D and A♯. The raised fifth gives the chord its bright, restless quality. Compare it to D major, where the fifth is natural.
What goes wrong with D augmented?
- Letting the 4th string ring out because the mute is incomplete.
- Pressing the middle finger too flat and deadening the 2nd string.
- Strumming the 4th string even though it's muted.
When to use it
D augmented works as a passing chord in D major progressions, such as D–Daug–G, the I–I+–IV. Its tense sound suits jazz and classical passages. Use it with D major or D 7th.
Changing to and from D augmented
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 2nd fret gives E♭ augmented.
- Sliding the shape up two frets to the 3rd fret gives E augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 1st fret voicing puts D in the bass and is the most compact. The 5th fret version mutes the 4th string and sounds brighter. For an F♯ bass, use the Daug/F♯ inversion at the 9th fret.
Other D chords
Common questions
What is the difference between D augmented and D major?
D major has a perfect 5th, A, while D augmented raises that to A♯. The raised fifth gives D augmented its distinctive unsettled sound.
Why does D augmented sound unstable?
D augmented has an augmented 5th, A♯, which creates tension. The chord's two major 3rds divide the octave symmetrically. This symmetry makes it want to resolve.
Can D augmented be played with open strings?
The Daug/A♯ inversion at the 1st fret uses an open 4th string, but the default voicing mutes it. The open string version has A♯ in the bass.