Explore chords · Ukulele
F♯ augmented chord on ukulele (F♯aug)
Also called or written F♯aug or F♯+
F♯ augmented contains F♯, A♯, and C♯♯. Its 5th fret shape mutes the 4th string and frets three notes in a compact diagonal.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionF♯–A♯–C♯♯F♯aug×-6-6-5
- First inversionA♯–C♯♯–F♯F♯aug/A♯11-10-10-9
- Second inversionC♯♯–F♯–A♯F♯aug/C♯♯3-2-2-1
How do you play an F♯ augmented chord on ukulele?
F♯ augmented is played at the 5th fret as × 6 6 5: 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. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateMuting the 4th string while fretting the other three strings cleanly is the main challenge.
F♯aug/A♯ inversion
F♯ 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♯ (1) |
| 3 (C) | 10 | 2 | A♯ (3) |
| 2 (E) | 10 | 3 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 1 | F♯ (1) |
F♯aug/C♯♯ inversion
F♯ 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♯ (3) |
| 3 (C) | 2 | 2 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 3 | F♯ (1) |
| 1 (A) | 1 | 1 | A♯ (3) |
5th fret · 7-6-6-5
F♯ 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 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 6 | 2 | F♯ (1) |
| 2 (E) | 6 | 3 | A♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 5 | 1 | C♯♯ (♯5) |
Why it sounds like that
F♯ augmented is built from a major 3rd between F♯ and A♯, and an augmented 5th between F♯ and C♯♯. The raised fifth gives the chord its bright, restless quality. Compare it to F♯ major, where the fifth is natural.
What goes wrong with F♯ 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
F♯ augmented works as a passing chord in F♯ major progressions, such as F♯–F♯aug–B, the I–I+–IV. Its tense sound suits jazz and classical passages. Use it with F♯ major or F♯ 7th.
Changing to and from F♯ augmented
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 3rd fret gives E augmented.
- Sliding the shape down one fret to the 4th fret gives F augmented.
Which voicing to use
The 5th fret voicing puts F♯ in the bass and is the most compact. The 9th fret version mutes the 4th string and sounds brighter. For an A♯ bass, use the F♯aug/B♭ inversion at the 1st fret.
Other F♯ chords
Common questions
How is F♯ augmented written?
F♯ augmented is written as F♯+ or F♯aug. On a keyboard, type F#+ or F#aug. It is also spelled G♭ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
Why does F♯ augmented sound unstable?
F♯ augmented has an augmented 5th, C♯♯, 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 F♯ augmented and F♯ major?
F♯ major has a perfect 5th, C♯, while F♯ augmented raises that to C♯♯. The raised fifth gives F♯ augmented its distinctive unsettled sound.