E Augmented Chord on Guitar
Eaug E G♯ B♯ 3 shapes Open chord
Chord diagrams
How to play E Augmented on guitar
The E Augmented chord (Eaug) is made of E, G♯, B♯ - 1 3 #5. On a guitar in standard tuning the easiest way to play it is the open shape 032110, with no barre. Below are 3 shapes in all, from the lowest on the neck to the highest; the same chord sounds brighter the higher you play it.
E-shape, open position 0x211x
A-shape, fret 5 x7655x
Strings from the low E (left) to the high E (right). Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. x = do not play the string, o = open string, a bar = one finger across several strings.
Notes
What notes are in E Augmented?
The E Augmented chord has 3 different notes: E, G♯, B♯. Two major thirds stacked; the raised fifth makes it restless. A guitar chord rarely has as many strings as notes, so shapes double some of them: the open chord sounds all six strings. Mute the strings marked x with the side of a fretting finger, so that only the chord rings.
| Note | Interval from the root | Half steps |
|---|---|---|
| E | Root | 0 |
| G♯ | Major 3rd | 4 |
| B♯ | Augmented 5th | 8 |
Questions
Frequently asked
How do you play Eaug on guitar?
The open shape 032110: A string fret 3 (finger 3), D string fret 2 (finger 2), G string fret 1 (finger 1), B string fret 1 (finger 1); let low E and high E ring open.
What notes are in the E Augmented chord?
The E Augmented chord (Eaug) is made of E, G♯, B♯. Its formula is 1 3 #5. On the guitar, some of those notes are played twice on different strings.
Is there a barre version of Eaug?
Yes: a-shape, fret 5 (x7655x). Barre shapes have no open strings, so you can cut the sound short with your fretting hand.
Keep playing
Strum Eaug, then build a song around it
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