F♯ augmented major 7th chord on ukulele (F♯augMaj7)

Why it sounds like that

F♯ augmented major 7th is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7. The augmented 5th, C♯♯, gives the chord its tense, bright quality, while the major 7th, E♯, adds a leading tone. Compare it to F♯ major 7th, which has a perfect 5th instead of the raised 5th.

What goes wrong with F♯ augmented major 7th?

• The A string is deadened because the pinky is flattening onto it.
• The C string buzzes because the ring finger is not pressing close to the fret.
• The E string is muted by the index finger leaning against it.

When to use it

F♯ augmented major 7th works as a passing chord in F♯ major progressions, often resolving to F♯ major or F♯ major 7th. Its unstable augmented 5th suits jazz ballads and chromatic turnarounds.

Changing to and from F♯ augmented major 7th

• Sliding the shape down one fret to the 2nd fret gives F augmented major 7th.
• From F♯ augmented major 7th, move to F♯ major 7th by lowering the C♯♯ to C♯, which means fretting the C string at the 5th fret and the A string at the 5th fret.

Which voicing to use

The default F♯augM7/E♯ inversion puts E♯ in the bass, giving a tight, bright voicing. The 6th fret position has F♯ in the bass for a root-position sound, but it requires a high reach to the 8th fret on the A string.