Also written E♭aug or E♭+
E♭ augmented is built from E♭, G, and B. This open-position shape uses a high reentrant G string, making it easy to grab.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
E♭ augmented is built from the 1, 3, ♯5 formula, stacking two major 3rds: E♭ to G and G to B. The augmented 5th B gives the chord its distinctive tension. Compare with E♭ major, which has a perfect 5th B♭ instead.
E♭ augmented works as a passing chord in E♭ major progressions, often moving to E♭ major or E♭ 5th. E♭ augmented suits jazz, blues, and dramatic classical passages. E♭ augmented's instability makes it a strong choice for building tension before a resolution.
The open position is the easiest E♭ augmented shape, with E♭ in the bass. For a brighter sound, try the 4th fret position, which puts the root E♭ in the bass.
E♭ augmented is played in open position as 0 3 3 2: middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string rings open.
Tip — The hardest part is fretting the 3rd fret on both C and E strings cleanly while keeping the open G string sounding.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | open | — | G (3) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (♯5) |
E♭ augmented is played at the 2nd fret as 4 3 3 2: pinky finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 4 | B (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (♯5) |
E♭ augmented is played at the 3rd fret as 4 3 3 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, index finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 3 | B (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 2 | G (3) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ augmented is played at the 4th fret as 4 7 7 6: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, pinky finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 3 | G (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 4 | B (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ augmented is played at the 6th fret as 8 7 7 6: pinky finger on the G string at fret 8, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and index finger on the A string at fret 6.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 4 | E♭ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 2 | G (3) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 6 | 1 | E♭ (1) |
E♭ augmented is written as E♭+ or E♭aug. On a keyboard, the root is typed as Eb. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
E♭ augmented raises the 5th from B♭ to B, creating two major 3rds stacked. E♭ major has a perfect 5th, giving it a stable, resolved sound.
The augmented 5th B 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.