A♭aug, 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 |
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.
A♭aug
Root position
| Notes | A♭ | C | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
A♭aug/C
First inversion
| Notes | C | E | A♭ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
A♭aug/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 C augmented and E 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 (A♭aug) has three notes: A♭, C and E. A♭ is the root, C the major third and E the augmented fifth.
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 (A♭aug/C): C, E and A♭. Second inversion (A♭aug/E): E, A♭ and C.
What key is A♭ augmented in?
A♭ augmented appears as III+ in F minor.