Aaug, augmented chord
A, C♯ and E♯
- Root
- A
- Major third
- C♯
- Augmented fifth
- E♯
Formula
1 3 ♯5 (4, 8 half steps above A)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | A | C♯ | E♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
E♯ is played on the white key F.
A augmented inversions
A augmented has 2 inversions. Each one keeps the same notes and puts a different one at the bottom, so your hand can stay close to the chord before or after it.
Aaug
Root position
| Notes | A | C♯ | E♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Aaug/C♯
First inversion
| Notes | C♯ | E♯ | A |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Aaug/E♯
Second inversion
| Notes | E♯ | A | C♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Keys with A augmented
Roman numerals give a chord's place in a key: capitals for major chords, small letters for minor, ° for diminished. A augmented appears as:
- III+ in F♯ minor
How A augmented is built
A is the root, C♯ the major third and E♯ the augmented fifth.
An augmented chord stacks two major thirds: the root, a major third (4 half steps up) and an augmented fifth (8 half steps up). The thirds split the octave into three equal parts, so A augmented uses the same keys as D♭ augmented and F augmented.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of A augmented are A, C, E. That is why it is spelled A, C♯ and E♯.
Find A augmented yourself
Without looking at the diagrams, find the chord on the keyboard, then each inversion. Saying the notes out loud as you tap them helps them stick.
Step 1 of 3
Tap the notes of A augmented, in any octave and any order.
Practice A augmented in real music
MasterPiano gives you new music to read at your level and listens as you play, through a MIDI keyboard or your device's microphone, marking each note right or wrong.
Start freeQuestions
What notes are in the A augmented chord?
A augmented (Aaug) has three notes: A, C♯ and E♯. A is the root, C♯ the major third and E♯ the augmented fifth. E♯ is played on the white key F.
What fingers do you use for A augmented on piano?
In root position, play A, C♯ and E♯ with right hand fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger and little finger) and left hand fingers 5, 3 and 1. The fingers change a little in each inversion; every inversion on this page shows its own.
What are the inversions of A augmented?
A augmented has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Aaug/C♯): C♯, E♯ and A. Second inversion (Aaug/E♯): E♯, A and C♯.
What key is A augmented in?
A augmented appears as III+ in F♯ minor.