The D augmented chord contains D, F♯ and A♯. Written Daug or D+, it raises the fifth of D major from A to A♯ while keeping D and F♯.
Build the D augmented chord with degrees 1–3–♯5. D to F♯ and F♯ to A♯ are both major thirds, four semitones apart. A♯ identifies the raised fifth even though it uses the same key as B♭.
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.
Daug uses 1–3–♯5: D–F♯–A♯.
Compared with D 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 | Daug | D4–F♯4–A♯4 | D4 |
| First inversion | Daug/F♯ | F♯4–A♯4–D5 | F♯4 |
| Second inversion | Daug/A♯ | A♯4–D5–F♯5 | A♯4 |
The D augmented chord diagrams show note positions rather than finger numbers. Try the three positions to compare which note is lowest. Each inversion preserves D, F♯ and A♯.
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.
D, F♯ and A♯, with formula 1–3–♯5. The raised fifth is what distinguishes this triad from D major.
D+ is another symbol for the D augmented chord. The plus sign means an augmented triad, not an added seventh.
D major contains D–F♯–A. Raise only A by one semitone to A♯, then compare the two sounds.
D–F♯–A♯ preserves the root, third and fifth letter names. B♭ uses the same piano key as A♯, but describes a different written interval above D.
Select the three pitch classes that make Daug, 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: D–F♯–A♯ · Formula: 1, 3, ♯5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.