Skip to content

Guitar chords · Augmented

E+ chord on guitar (Eaug)

E+ (E ) has three notes: E, G♯ and B♯ (played as C), the , 3 and ♯5.

Shapes

How to play E+

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

E+ has an , and one : the A shape at 7. A movable shape keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • Open (E shape)

    ××R3♯5EEG♯B♯
  • A shape · fret 7

    5fr××R3♯5REG♯B♯E
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes E+ augmented

An chord raises the 5th of a major chord by a . Its notes split the into three equal parts, which gives it a floating, unsettled sound that wants to move on.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd and the ♯5th make E+ an chord.

  1. ERroot
  2. G♯3essential
  3. B♯♯5essential
EADGBE0135791215EEEEEEEEEG♯B♯B♯G♯B♯G♯B♯G♯B♯G♯B♯G♯B♯G♯B♯
  • E, the root
  • Other chord tones

E+ is usually a passing chord: its raised 5th climbs on, as in E, E+, A or E, E+, C♯m. Its three notes are evenly spaced, so the same shape is also A♭+ and C+.

Keys

Keys with E+

E+ belongs to one key: C♯ minor (III+, ).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

E+ over another bass note

A keeps E+ on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • E+/G♯

    E+ with its 3rd, G♯, in the bass: the first inversion.

  • E+/B♯

    E+ with its ♯5th, B♯, in the bass: the second inversion.

Questions

E+, in short

What notes are in the E+ chord?
E+ (E ) has three notes: E, G♯ and B♯ (played as C), the , 3 and ♯5.
How do you play E+ on guitar?
E+ has an , and one : the A shape at 7.
What key is E+ in?
E+ belongs to one key: C♯ minor (III+, ).
All guitar chords