Caug, augmented chord
C, E and G♯
- Root
- C
- Major third
- E
- Augmented fifth
- G♯
Formula
1 3 ♯5 (4, 8 half steps above C)
Fingering in root position
| Notes | C | E | G♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
C augmented inversions
C 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.
Caug
Root position
| Notes | C | E | G♯ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Caug/E
First inversion
| Notes | E | G♯ | C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Caug/G♯
Second inversion
| Notes | G♯ | C | E |
|---|---|---|---|
| Right hand | 1 | 3 | 5 |
| Left hand | 5 | 3 | 1 |
Keys with C augmented
Roman numerals give a chord's place in a key: capitals for major chords, small letters for minor, ° for diminished. C augmented appears as:
- III+ in A minor
How C augmented is built
C is the root, E the major third and G♯ 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 C augmented uses the same keys as E augmented and A♭ augmented.
Every chord takes every other letter of the alphabet, so the letters of C augmented are C, E, G. That is why it is spelled C, E and G♯.
Find C 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 C augmented, in any octave and any order.
Practice C 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 C augmented chord?
C augmented (Caug) has three notes: C, E and G♯. C is the root, E the major third and G♯ the augmented fifth.
What fingers do you use for C augmented on piano?
In root position, play C, E and G♯ 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 C augmented?
C augmented has 2 inversions, one for each note other than the root at the bottom. First inversion (Caug/E): E, G♯ and C. Second inversion (Caug/G♯): G♯, C and E.
What key is C augmented in?
C augmented appears as III+ in A minor.