F augmented chord (Faug)
Faug is F, A and C♯: 1–3–♯5 built on F. See and hear it on all three instruments below.
On guitar
x-x-3-2-2-1 · movable · medium
- Notes
- F · A · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · ♯5
- First shape
- x-x-3-2-2-1
Faug on guitar: every shape, finger by finger
On piano
root position · F–A–C♯ · right hand 1-3-5
- Notes
- F · A · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · ♯5
Faug on piano: fingering and inversions
On ukulele
2-1-1-0 · open · easy
- Notes
- F · A · C♯
- Formula
- 1 · 3 · ♯5
- First shape
- 2-1-1-0
Faug and the chords around it
The moves below are the ones you'll meet most, shown for guitar and piano.
- Faug → B♭ (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV)
Guitar: Faug (x-x-3-2-2-1) to B♭ (x-1-3-3-3-1): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 1st fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 3rd fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 3rd fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share F, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Faug to B♭: play B♭ in 2nd inversion (F–B♭–D) and F stays under the same finger, while A moves up to B♭ and C♯ up to D. B♭ - Faug → C (V in F major)
Guitar: Faug (x-x-3-2-2-1) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): the index finger slides across to the B string at the same fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the A string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once.
Piano: Faug to C: play C in 1st inversion (E–G–C), while F moves down to E, A down to G and C♯ down to C. C - Faug → Dm (vi in F major)
Guitar: Faug (x-x-3-2-2-1) to Dm (x-x-0-2-3-1): your index and middle fingers stay put, your ring finger lands on the B string, 3rd fret. Very little moves, so this change comes fast. The two chords share F and A, which is why the change sounds smooth.
Piano: Faug to Dm: play Dm in 1st inversion (F–A–D) and F and A stay under the same fingers, while C♯ moves up to D. Dm
Guitar with a capo: capo 1, Eaug shape; capo 5, Caug shape. Ukulele with a capo: capo 5, Caug shape.
How Faug is built
Faug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. It sounds suspended and dreamlike. Because the major thirds split the octave evenly, Faug shares its three notes with Aaug and D♭aug.
From F, go 4 half steps up to A then 4 half steps up to C♯.
| Note | Role | Half steps | Hear it |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | root | 0 | |
| A | major third | 4 | |
| C♯ | augmented fifth | 8 |
Keys and progressions with Faug
Faug sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
Chords close to Faug
- Faug and F differ by one note: C♯ in Faug, C in F. They share F and A. F
Chords that share most of their notes with Faug: D♭aug, Aaug, C♯, Dm, F, F♯m.
Every F chord
F augmented chord: questions
What notes are in the F augmented chord?
F, A and C♯. Faug is built 1–3–♯5 from F: A is the major third and C♯ is the augmented fifth.
How do you play Faug on guitar?
The usual shape is x-x-3-2-2-1 (movable). All 4 guitar shapes.
How do you play Faug on piano?
Play F, A and C♯ with right-hand fingers 1-3-5. F sits just left of the group of three black keys. Inversions and left hand.
How do you play Faug on ukulele?
2-1-1-0 in standard GCEA tuning. More ukulele shapes.
What key is Faug in?
Faug sits outside the seven chords of every major and natural minor key, so expect it as a color or passing chord.
What's the difference between Faug and F?
Faug and F differ by one note: C♯ in Faug, C in F. They share F and A.
Diagrams and sound come from the same data, tested so they match. Updated September 2026.