D-flat augmented chord (Dbaug)

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

Because it splits the octave into three equal major thirds, D♭ augmented has the same notes as F augmented and A augmented; only the bass note changes.

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 2 guitar voicings.

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

  • Voicing 1: x-4-3-2-2-1, with D♭ in the bass (fingers x-4-3-2-2-1).
  • Voicing 2: 9-x-11-10-10-x, with D♭ in the bass (fingers 1-x-4-2-3-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 (1) · A (5) · D♭ (9)
  • String 5 (A): A (0) · D♭ (4) · F (8) · A (12)
  • String 4 (D): F (3) · A (7) · D♭ (11)
  • String 3 (G): A (2) · D♭ (6) · F (10)
  • String 2 (B): D♭ (2) · F (6) · A (10)
  • String 1 (E): F (1) · A (5) · D♭ (9)

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): 2-1-1-0, barre at fret 1; it sounds A, D♭, F and A.

D♭ augmented on piano

  • Keys: D♭4, F4 and A4.

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 (D♭aug/F): F, A and D♭, with F in the bass.
  • Second inversion (D♭aug/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♭ – D♭aug – G♭

D♭ augmented or C♯ augmented?

D♭ augmented (D♭aug) and C♯ augmented (C♯aug) are the same chord with two names: they sound the same and use the same frets.

The spelling depends on the key: it is written D♭ augmented in flat keys and C♯ augmented in sharp keys.

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.

Is C♯ augmented the same chord as D♭ augmented?

Yes: C♯ augmented and D♭ augmented sound the same and are played the same way. It is written D♭ augmented in flat keys and C♯ augmented in sharp keys.

Why does D♭ augmented sound the same as F augmented and A augmented?

Because the augmented chord divides the octave into three major thirds: D♭, F and A. When you invert it, the bass note changes but the notes stay the same distance apart, so D♭ augmented uses the same keys and frets as F augmented and A augmented.

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.