Amaj7#5

General info

Full name

A Major 7#5

Symbol

Amaj7#5

Root

A

Quality

Major 7#5

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Typical function in key

IVSubdominant (IV)E major

Stability / tension

Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution

Most common resolutions

AA MajorDD Major

Unstable degrees

#5F

6F#

resolves up to the 6th

7G#

1A

resolves up to the root

Main resolution

Amaj7#5source

AA Major

Augmented Aaug has a raised 5th. As a dominant it resolves up a 4th — the raised 5th rising a semitone. Returning to the major of the same root, it instead falls back to a perfect 5th.

Other resolutions

Amaj7#5source

Deceptive resolution

AmA Minor

An augmented chord can resolve to the minor chord of the same root: the raised 5th falls to a perfect 5th and the major 3rd lowers to a minor 3rd.

Amaj7#5source

No resolution needed

In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.

Amaj7#5source

Jazz reharmonization

DD Major

In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.

Amaj7#5source

Functional resolution

C#C# Major

Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.

Features

Character

Major, with major 7th and augmented 5th

Characteristic interval

Augmented 5th (#5), Major 7th (M7)

Description

The augmented 5th destabilises the major triad, while the major 7th adds a semitone tendency toward the octave. The chord is tenser than a regular maj7.

Application

• III degree of harmonic minor
• Jazz ballads
• Chromatic voice leading

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.