G Augmented Chord on Guitar
Gaug G B D♯ 2 shapes Barre chord
Chord diagrams
How to play G Augmented on guitar
The G Augmented chord (Gaug) is made of G, B, D♯ - 1 3 #5. On a guitar in standard tuning the easiest way to play it is the E-shape shape at fret 3 (3x544x). Below are 2 shapes in all, from the lowest on the neck to the highest; the same chord sounds brighter the higher you play it.
A-shape, fret 8 x(10)988x
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 G Augmented?
The G Augmented chord has 3 different notes: G, B, D♯. 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: every shape here leaves at least one string unplayed - watch the x marks. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| G | Root | 0 |
| B | Major 3rd | 4 |
| D♯ | Augmented 5th | 8 |
Questions
Frequently asked
How do you play Gaug on guitar?
The E-shape shape 3x544x: low E string fret 3 (finger 1), D string fret 5 (finger 4), G string fret 4 (finger 2), B string fret 4 (finger 3); do not play A and high E.
What notes are in the G Augmented chord?
The G Augmented chord (Gaug) is made of G, B, D♯. Its formula is 1 3 #5. On the guitar, some of those notes are played twice on different strings.
Can I play Gaug without a barre?
There is no common open shape for Gaug in standard tuning, so it is played as a movable shape: e-shape, fret 3 (3x544x) is the lowest on the neck. If a full barre is hard at first, play only the four highest strings of that shape - the root and the third are still there.
Keep playing
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