Augmented Chord
The fourth basic chord type is the augmented chord. The augmented chord is based upon the major chord except the 5th note is raised by a semitone; referred to as augmented or sharpened fifth (#5).
For example, The E augmented chord (E+) is based upon the notes of the E major scale.
E Major Scale
As the augmented arpeggio consists entirely from consecutive major 3rds piled on top of each other,
e.g., the notes of the E+ are E, G# and C,
E - G# = maj 3rd,
G# - C = maj 3rd,
C - E = maj 3rd, all inversions have the same pattern.
The augmented chord shape actually has three different names. To understand why this is so, examine the formula for an augmented chord, 1 3 #5. By applying this formula to the respective scales of each note in the scale, it may be seen that E+, G#+ and C+ all contain the same notes, thus the same arpeggio may be used for all three chords.
E Augmented Arpeggio Pattern
G# Augmented Arpeggio Pattern
C Augmented Arpeggio Pattern
The following table illustrates that the notes of the E+,G#+ and C+ chord are the same.
Because each arpeggio represents three different chords the complete range of augmented chords is covered by using the shape over four frets. The following example refers to the 5th string.
For example, at the first fret the augmented chord is C, E, G#
At the second fret the augmented chord is C#/Db , E#/F, A
At the third fret the augmented chord is D, F#/Gb , A#/Bb
At the fourth fret the augmented chord is D#/Eb , G, B
The easiest way to remember the three different augmented names involved in each shape is simply to read off the notes contained when that shape is held i.e., if the augmented shape is played at the third fret and the individual notes are named (D F# A#) this gives the three names of the augmented chord (D+, F#+ and A#+).
Conversely, if you wish to play a given augmented chord (C+) all you need to do is find a C note on any of the five strings, and then play the augmented arpeggio around it (the arpeggio you play will also produce an G#+ or E+).
Example 61 combines augmented chords with other chord types.
E Augmented Arpeggio Over Two Octaves
Example 62 uses the E augmented arpeggio over two octaves ascending and descending.
The symbol X means a bigger stretch between 1st and 4th finger (5 frets).
