F augmented chord on guitar (Faug)

Faug is F, A and C♯. The usual shape is x-x-3-2-2-1. Tap Play, then slow it down.

x-x-3-2-2-1 · movable · medium

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

How to play Faug on guitar

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

F: index finger, 1st fret of the high E string.
A: middle finger, 2nd fret of the G string.
C♯: ring finger, 2nd fret of the B string.
F: pinky finger, 3rd fret of the D string.
Strum from the D string down; the low E and A strings stay silent.

This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.
Aim the strum at the thinner strings only; the lower ones are marked × for a reason.

Other ways to play Faug

x-8-7-6-6-x: movable shape at the 6th fret, medium. This is the open Aaug shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-15-14-14-13: movable shape at the 13th fret, medium. A small shape for quick changes and a lighter sound.
13-12-11-10-10-x: partial barre shape at the 10th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.

Capo shortcuts for Faug

A capo turns an open chord into Faug: capo on the 1st fret and play the open Eaug shape (0-3-2-1-1-0) or capo on the 5th fret and play the open Caug shape (x-3-2-1-1-0). Handy when the rest of the song's chords also have open shapes in that position.

Changing from Faug to the chords around it

These are the changes you'll meet most often with Faug, using the first shape of each chord.

B♭ (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV): 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. B♭ on guitar
C (V in F major): 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. C on guitar
Dm (vi in F major): 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. Dm on guitar

Faug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Faug is a stepping stone: it often moves on to the IV chord, with the raised fifth rising one more half step. The slow arpeggio button above makes that quality easy to hear.

A short Faug drill

Arpeggiate x-x-3-2-2-1 from the lowest string: F, A, C♯, F. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Then switch to x-8-7-6-6-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

Faug in context

Faug on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Faug on piano and Faug on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Close to Faug

Other augmented chords

Faug on guitar: questions

What notes are in Faug on guitar?

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

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

No open-string Faug exists in standard tuning; x-x-3-2-2-1 is the place to start. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is Faug a barre chord on guitar?

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

Which string does Faug start on?

In the x-x-3-2-2-1 shape the lowest string you play is the D string at the 3rd fret, which is F, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Every shape above plays only F, A and C♯, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.