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A♭aug chord on guitar

A♭aug (A♭ augmented) is A♭, C and E. The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written 4x655x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 5th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

A♭aug

A♭ augmented · A♭ C E · 1 3 ♯5

  • 4th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    4fr1423A♭A♭CE

    4x655x

  • 9th fret

    Root on the 5th string

    9fr4311A♭CEA♭

    x-11-10-9-9-x

Or pick another chord to see and hear it

Root
Chord

Dots show where each finger goes, numbered 1 (index) to 4 (little); the green ones are A♭, the root.

How to play A♭aug

Strings are counted from the thinnest: the 1st is the high E and the 6th the low E. Each shape is written as tab from the 6th string to the 1st, a number for the fret to press, 0 for an open string and x for one not played.

  1. 1. Root on the 6th string · 4th fret

    4x655x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 4th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 5th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 6th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.
  2. 2. Root on the 5th string · 9th fret

    x-11-10-9-9-x
    • Lay your 1st finger (index) flat across the 3rd and 2nd strings at the 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 11th fret.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.
    • Mute the 1st string by letting a finger next to it touch it lightly.

Notes in the A♭aug chord

A♭aug is A♭, C and E, and it sounds dreamy and unresolved, as if something is about to happen. From A♭, count 4 half steps up to C and 4 more to E. Its formula is 1 3 ♯5. The shapes above play these notes in different orders and octaves, some more than once, but always with A♭ lowest. See its inversions and keys on the A♭aug piano chord page.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play A♭aug on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is on four strings, written 4x655x, with no barre. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 4th fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 5th fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 5th fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 6th fret. Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

What notes are in the A♭aug chord?

A♭aug is A♭, C and E. In the shape written 4x655x, the 6th to 2nd strings play A♭, A♭, C and E.

Is A♭aug a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play A♭aug on guitar?

This page shows two: 4x655x (4th fret) and x-11-10-9-9-x (9th fret). Any chord can be played in more places up the neck; these are the ones chord books show first.

Can I make a beat with A♭aug?

Yes. “Make a beat in F minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F minor on Fm D♭ A♭ E♭, the key where A♭aug is the III+ chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account is needed to start.

Make a beat in F minor

Opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in F minor on Fm D♭ A♭ E♭, the key where A♭aug is the III+ chord. Then change any part, add a melody and your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.