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Caug chord on guitar

Caug (C augmented) is C, E and G♯. The easiest way to play it is the open Caug chord, written x32110. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

Caug

C augmented · C E G♯ · 1 3 ♯5

  • Open position

    Open chord

    4312CEG♯CE

    x32110

  • 8th fret

    Root on the 6th string

    8fr1423CCEG♯

    8-x-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 C, the root.

How to play Caug

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. Open chord · Open position

    x32110
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 1st fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret.
    • Let the 1st string ring open.
    • Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

  2. 2. Root on the 6th string · 8th fret

    8-x-10-9-9-x
    • Put your 1st finger (index) on the 6th string, 8th fret.
    • Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 3rd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 2nd string, 9th fret.
    • Put your 4th finger (little) on the 4th string, 10th fret.
    • Mute the 5th and 1st strings by letting the fingers next to them touch them lightly.

Notes in the Caug chord

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

Chords that often come after Caug

Fxx3211Caug is a V+ that resolves to F: the raised fifth climbs a half step to F’s third.Amx02210Caug to Am is III+ to i in a minor key: two notes stay and one climbs a half step.

More guitar chords

Other chords on C

CCmC7Cmaj7Cm7Csus2Csus4Cadd9C9C6CdimCm7♭5Cdim7

Augmented chords on other notes

D♭augDaugE♭augEaugFaugG♭augGaugA♭augAaugB♭augBaug

Or see every chord at once on the guitar chord chart.

Frequently asked questions

How do you play Caug on guitar?

The easiest way to play it is the open Caug chord, written x32110. Put your 1st finger (index) on the 3rd string, 1st fret. Put your 2nd finger (middle) on the 2nd string, 1st fret. Put your 3rd finger (ring) on the 4th string, 2nd fret. Put your 4th finger (little) on the 5th string, 3rd fret. Let the 1st string ring open. Don't play the 6th string: strum from the 5th.

What notes are in the Caug chord?

Caug is C, E and G♯. In the shape written x32110, the 5th to 1st strings play C, E, G♯, C and E.

Is Caug a barre chord?

No: none of its shapes here needs a barre.

How many ways can you play Caug on guitar?

This page shows two: x32110 (open position) and 8-x-10-9-9-x (8th 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 Caug?

Yes. “Make a beat in A minor” opens the free editor with a lo-fi beat in A minor on Am F C G, the key where Caug 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 A minor

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

Make a beat in A minorAll guitar chords

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