A augmented chord on guitar (Aaug)

Aaug is A, C♯ and E♯. The usual shape is x-0-3-2-2-1. Play it once at full speed, then at a quarter to hear every note.

x-0-3-2-2-1 · open · medium

Notes: A · C♯ · E♯
Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5
First shape: x-0-3-2-2-1

How to play Aaug on guitar

Shape 1, x-0-3-2-2-1, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: high E string, 1st fret (E♯).
Middle finger: G string, 2nd fret (A).
Ring finger: B string, 2nd fret (C♯).
Pinky: D string, 3rd fret (E♯).
Let the open A string ring (A).
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

If an open string sounds dead, a fingertip is leaning on it. Come down more on the tips, with your knuckles bent.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.

Other ways to play Aaug

x-12-11-10-10-x: movable shape at the 10th fret, medium. Root on the 5th string, so it pairs well with the 6th-string shape a few frets away.
x-x-7-6-6-5: movable shape at the 5th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.

Aaug the capo way

With a capo you can skip the harder shapes: capo on the 5th fret and play the open Eaug shape (0-3-2-1-1-0). Everything above the capo is fingered exactly like the open chord.

Moving between Aaug and its neighbours

Songs rarely hold Aaug for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

D (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV): Aaug (x-0-3-2-2-1) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): move the index finger to the G string, 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger goes to the B string, 3rd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. A carries over from one chord to the other. D on guitar
E (V in A major): Aaug (x-0-3-2-2-1) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): the index finger goes to the G string, 1st fret, the middle finger goes to the A string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the D string, 2nd fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. E on guitar
F♯m (vi in A major): Aaug (x-0-3-2-2-1) to F♯m (2-4-4-2-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 4th fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share A and C♯, which is why the change sounds smooth. F♯m on guitar

Aaug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Aaug is a stepping stone: it often moves on to the IV chord, with the raised fifth rising one more half step. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Practice Aaug in two minutes

Arpeggiate x-0-3-2-2-1 from the lowest string: A, E♯, A, C♯, E♯. Then strum it and listen for the same 5 notes together. Next, alternate x-0-3-2-2-1 and x-12-11-10-10-x, slowly, until the change takes less than a beat.

Aaug in context

Aaug on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try Aaug on ukulele or Aaug on piano, or compare them on the Aaug chord page.

Next to try on guitar

Other augmented chords

Aaug on guitar: questions

What notes are in Aaug on guitar?

A, C♯ and E♯. In the x-0-3-2-2-1 shape the strings play A (A string, open), E♯ (D string), A (G string), C♯ (B string) and E♯ (high E string), so A and E♯ are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Aaug on guitar?

None of the Aaug shapes is a true beginner shape, but x-0-3-2-2-1 comes closest. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo is worth trying when the song allows.

Is Aaug a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: x-0-3-2-2-1 needs no barre.

Which string does Aaug start on?

In the x-0-3-2-2-1 shape the lowest string you play is the A string, open, which is A, the root. Skip the low E string.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Aaug. Updated September 2026.