Explore chords · Ukulele
E♭ augmented chord on ukulele (E♭aug)
Also called or written E♭aug or E♭+
E♭ augmented contains E♭, G, and B. Its 2nd fret shape mutes the 4th string and frets three notes in a compact diagonal.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionE♭–G–BE♭aug×-3-3-2
- First inversionG–B–E♭E♭aug/G8-7-7-6
- Second inversionB–E♭–GE♭aug/B12-11-11-10
How do you play an E♭ augmented chord on ukulele?
E♭ augmented is played at the 2nd fret as × 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 stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 2 | E♭ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 3 | 3 | G (3) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 1 | B (♯5) |
IntermediateMuting the 4th string while fretting the other three strings cleanly is the main challenge.
E♭aug/G inversion
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Open
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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♭aug/B inversion
E♭ augmented is played at the 10th fret as 12 11 11 10: pinky finger on the G string at fret 12, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 4 | G (3) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 3 | E♭ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (3) |
2nd fret · 4-3-3-2
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.
Full note and interval breakdown
| 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) |
Why it sounds like that
E♭ augmented is built from a major 3rd between E♭ and G, and an augmented 5th between E♭ and B. The raised fifth gives the chord its bright, restless quality. Compare it to E♭ major, where the fifth is natural.
What goes wrong with E♭ 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
E♭ augmented works as a passing chord in E♭ major progressions, such as E♭–E♭aug–A♭, the I–I+–IV. Its tense sound suits jazz and classical passages. Use it with E♭ major or E♭ 7th.
Changing to and from E♭ augmented
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives D augmented.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives E augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 2nd fret voicing puts E♭ in the bass and is the most compact. The 6th fret version mutes the 4th string and sounds brighter. For a G bass, use the E♭aug/G inversion at the 2nd fret.
Other E♭ chords
Common questions
How is E♭ augmented written?
E♭ augmented is written as E♭+ or E♭aug. On a keyboard, type Eb+ or Ebaug. It is also spelled D♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does E♭ augmented sound unstable?
E♭ augmented has an augmented 5th, B, 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 E♭ augmented and E♭ major?
E♭ major has a perfect 5th, B♭, while E♭ augmented raises that to B. The raised fifth gives E♭ augmented its distinctive unsettled sound.