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G augmented major 7th chord on ukulele (GaugMaj7)
Also called or written GaugMaj7, GaugM7, G+M7, GM7#5, Gmaj+7, G augmented major seventh or G major seventh sharp five
G augmented major 7th contains G, B, D♯, and F♯. The open voicing at frets 0–3–2–2 is the easiest way to play this advanced chord.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5, 7
- Root positionG–B–D♯–F♯GaugMaj78-7-7-9
- First inversionB–D♯–F♯–GGaugMaj7/B11-11-11-10
- Second inversionD♯–F♯–G–BGaugMaj7/D♯0-3-2-2
- Third inversionF♯–G–B–D♯GaugMaj7/F♯11-11-11-10
How do you play a G augmented major 7th chord on ukulele?
G augmented major 7th is played in open position as 0 3 2 2: ring finger on the C string at fret 3, index finger on the E string at fret 2 and middle 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 (1) |
| 3 (C) | 3 | 3 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (E) | 2 | 1 | F♯ (7) |
| 1 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (3) |
AdvancedThe ring finger must hold fret 3 on the C string while the index and middle fingers stay on fret 2 without muting the open G string.
7th fret
G augmented major 7th is played at the 7th fret as 8 7 7 9: ring finger on the G string at fret 8, index finger on the C string at fret 7, middle finger on the E string at fret 7 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 9.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 8 | 3 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 7 | 1 | G (1) |
| 2 (E) | 7 | 2 | B (3) |
| 1 (A) | 9 | 4 | F♯ (7) |
GaugM7/B inversion
G augmented major 7th is played at the 10th fret as 11 11 11 10: middle finger on the G string at fret 11, ring finger on the C string at fret 11, pinky 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) | 11 | 2 | F♯ (7) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 3 | B (3) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 4 | D♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | G (1) |
Why it sounds like that
G augmented major 7th is built from 1, 3, ♯5, and 7. The augmented 5th, D♯, gives the chord its tense, bright quality. Compare with G major 7th, which has a perfect 5th.
What goes wrong with G augmented major 7th?
- Letting the ring finger touch the G string and mute it.
- Not pressing the index finger firmly enough on the E string, causing a buzz.
- Accidentally fretting the G string with the palm.
When to use it
G augmented major 7th works as a passing chord in G major, often resolving to G major 7th. Use it in jazz and fusion for its bright, unstable color.
Changing to and from G augmented major 7th
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 5th fret gives F augmented major 7th.
- Sliding the shape up one fret to the 7th fret gives A♭ augmented major 7th.
Which voicing to use
The open voicing has G in the bass, giving a grounded root sound. The D♯ inversion at frets 8–7–7–9 puts the augmented 5th in the bass for a more dissonant, floating feel.
Other G chords
Common questions
How is G augmented major 7th written?
G augmented major 7th is written as G+M7, M7#5, maj+7, or GaugM7. It is also called augmented major seventh or major seventh sharp five.
What is the difference between G augmented major 7th and G major 7th?
G major 7th has a perfect 5th, D, while G augmented major 7th raises that note to D♯. This change creates the augmented quality and a more dissonant sound.
Why is the G string left open?
The open G string is the root note, so it is allowed to ring. It provides a solid bass foundation for the chord.