E augmented chord (Eaug)

The E augmented chord (Eaug) is an augmented triad: E, G♯ and B♯, 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, E augmented has the same notes as C augmented; only the bass note changes.

With E, G♯ and B♯, E 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 E augmented on guitar

There are 3 guitar voicings.

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

  • Voicing 1: 0-3-2-1-1-0, open position, with E in the bass (fingers 0-4-3-1-2-0).
  • Voicing 2: 12-x-14-13-13-x, with E in the bass (fingers 1-x-4-2-3-x).
  • Voicing 3: x-7-6-5-5-x, with E in the bass (fingers x-4-3-1-2-x).

Notes of the E augmented chord on the fretboard

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

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

Formula and intervals of E augmented

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

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

E augmented on ukulele

  • Ukulele (G C E A): 1-0-0-3; it sounds G♯, B♯, E and B♯.

E augmented on piano

  • Keys: E4, G♯4 and B♯4.

Inversions of E augmented

Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.

  • Root position: E, G♯ and B♯, with E in the bass.
  • First inversion (Eaug/G♯): G♯, B♯ and E, with G♯ in the bass.
  • Second inversion (Eaug/B♯): B♯, E and G♯, with B♯ in the bass.

Keys that use E augmented

E augmented (E, G♯ and B♯) 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 E augmented is the chord on the third degree.

Progressions with E augmented

  • Augmented passing chord in E major (I–I+–IV): E – Eaug – A

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the E augmented chord?

E, G♯ and B♯: root, major third and augmented fifth. Its formula is 1-3-♯5.

Why does E augmented sound the same as C augmented?

Because the augmented chord divides the octave into three major thirds: E, G♯ and B♯. When you invert it, the bass note changes but the notes stay the same distance apart, so E augmented uses the same keys and frets as C augmented.

What is the E 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 E, G♯ and B♯, which pushes toward IV. It is also the III+ of the harmonic minor scale.