The A flat augmented chord contains A♭, C and E. Written A♭aug or A♭+, it has formula 1–3–♯5. Locate E natural, then compare root position with two inversions.
Build the A flat augmented chord by raising E♭ in A♭ major to E natural. Keep A♭ as the root and C as the major third. The root-to-fifth span grows from seven to eight semitones; no seventh is added to the three-note collection.
Preserve the written note spelling shown for this chord.
Choose a position to keep the written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
Select A♭, C and E in the exercise. Choosing E♭ instead restores A♭ major. The reference uses one black-key pitch class and two white-key pitch classes; octave placement and click order do not affect this note-set check.
A♭aug uses 1–3–♯5: A♭–C–E.
Compared with A♭ major, raise the fifth by one semitone.
The chord tones stay the same while the lowest chord tone changes.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | A♭aug | A♭3–C4–E4 | A♭3 |
| First inversion | A♭aug/C | C4–E4–A♭4 | C4 |
| Second inversion | A♭aug/E | E4–A♭4–C5 | E4 |
The A flat augmented chord diagrams show register and note order without prescribing fingers. C starts the first inversion and E the second. Read E as natural in each position; its key is different from the E♭ used by the major triad.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersOpen Music Theory
Supports: augmented triad formula and written tone spelling
Scope: Supports the chord formula and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
A♭, C and E: root, major third and augmented fifth. Its compact symbols include A♭aug and A♭+.
The A flat augmented chord raises the fifth of A♭ major by a semitone. E♭ becomes E natural while the root and third stay unchanged.
No. Accidentals belong to individual notes. This chord has A♭, C natural and E natural. Read the full note list rather than applying the root accidental to every chord member.
C and E identify the first and second inversions. Root position has A♭ in the bass. Each displayed position uses all three notes exactly once.
Select the three pitch classes that make A♭aug, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: A♭–C–E · Formula: 1, 3, ♯5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.