D augmented chord (Daug)

The D augmented chord (Daug) is an augmented triad: D, F♯ and A♯, two major thirds stacked on top of each other (root, major third and augmented fifth).

With D, F♯ and A♯, D augmented does not fit any major or natural minor scale: it is the chord on the third degree (III+) of the harmonic minor scale and is mostly used as a passing chord, as in I–I+–IV.

Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano and inversions.

How to play D augmented on guitar

There are 3 guitar voicings.

Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.

  • Voicing 1: x-x-0-3-3-2, open position, with D in the bass (fingers x-x-0-2-3-1).
  • Voicing 2: 10-x-12-11-11-x, with D in the bass (fingers 1-x-4-2-3-x).
  • Voicing 3: x-5-4-3-3-x, with D in the bass (fingers x-4-3-1-2-x).

Notes of the D augmented chord on the fretboard

D augmented has 3 notes: D, F♯ and A♯. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):

  • String 6 (E): F♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · D (10)
  • String 5 (A): A♯ (1) · D (5) · F♯ (9)
  • String 4 (D): D (0) · F♯ (4) · A♯ (8) · D (12)
  • String 3 (G): A♯ (3) · D (7) · F♯ (11)
  • String 2 (B): D (3) · F♯ (7) · A♯ (11)
  • String 1 (E): F♯ (2) · A♯ (6) · D (10)

Formula and intervals of D augmented

Its formula is 1-3-♯5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-8.

  • D: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
  • F♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above D
  • A♯: Augmented fifth (A5), 8 semitones above D

D augmented on ukulele

  • Ukulele (G C E A): 3-2-2-1; it sounds A♯, D, F♯ and A♯.

D augmented on piano

  • Keys: D4, F♯4 and A♯4.

Inversions of D augmented

Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.

  • Root position: D, F♯ and A♯, with D in the bass.
  • First inversion (Daug/F♯): F♯, A♯ and D, with F♯ in the bass.
  • Second inversion (Daug/A♯): A♯, D and F♯, with A♯ in the bass.

Keys that use D augmented

D augmented (D, F♯ and A♯) is not a diatonic chord of any major or natural minor key. The augmented fifth does appear in the harmonic and melodic minor scales, where D augmented is the chord on the third degree.

Progressions with D augmented

  • Augmented passing chord in D major (I–I+–IV): D – Daug – G

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the D augmented chord?

D, F♯ and A♯: root, major third and augmented fifth. Its formula is 1-3-♯5.

What is the D augmented chord used for?

Mostly as a passing chord, as in I–I+–IV: on the same root, the fifth of the major triad rises a half step, giving D, F♯ and A♯, which pushes toward IV. It is also the III+ of the harmonic minor scale.