Abaug

Q: What notes are in the Abaug chord?

The Abaug chord (Ab Augmented) contains: Ab, C, E. Its interval structure is shown above in the Theory section.

Q: How do I build Abaug on the keyboard?

Take the root and add the remaining chord tones following the interval formula. The highlight shows chord content, while the inversion control changes which chord tone is in the bass.

Q: Which keys is Abaug found in?

The chord acts as a diatonic degree in several keys — they are marked on the circle of fifths in the "Harmonic context" block.

Q: What can I substitute for Abaug?

A substitution depends on harmonic function and voice leading, not only on shared tones. Computed options appear in the "Substitutions" block and should be checked in context.

Ab Augmented

Octaves

Musical context

ChordAbaugAb Augmented

ArpeggioAb majorBroken triad

ScaleAb major7 notes

KeyAb majorMajor key

ProgressionPop axisSequence

How the chord relates to the scale, mode, key and progression.

Theory

General info

Full name: Ab Augmented
Symbol: Abaug
Root: Ab
Quality: Augmented

Chord notes

1Abroot

3Cmajor 3rd

#5Eaug 5th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension: Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions: AbAb Major DbDb Major
Unstable degrees: #5E
6F
resolves up to the 6th
Main resolution: Abaugsource
AbAb Major
Augmented Abaug 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: Abaugsource
Deceptive resolution
AbmAb 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.
Abaugsource
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
Abaugsource
Jazz reharmonization
DbDb Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
Abaugsource
Functional resolution
CC Major
Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.

Fmharmonic minor

Abaugdegree III

The raised 7th of harmonic minor makes the III triad augmented — Abaug arises within the key on its own.

AbaugV+

C#resolution

As a dominant it resolves a fourth up: the raised fifth (E) rises a semitone into the tonic's third (F).

Features

Character: Augmented, symmetric and unstable
Characteristic interval: Augmented 5th (#5)
Description: The augmented fifth (#5) is raised a semitone above normal. The chord is symmetric — all three notes are equidistant by major thirds.
Application: Chromatic passing
III in harmonic minor
Unexpected colors

Voicing & structure

Root position

v1Ab(Ab4)Bass

root

v2C(C5)M3from Ab

v3E(E5)M3from C

Harmony

Compatible scales

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

ScaleC Whole tone scale ScaleC Augmented scale ScaleE Whole tone scale ScaleE Augmented scale ScaleG# Whole tone scale ScaleG# Augmented scale ScaleC# Augmented scale ScaleD Whole tone scale ScaleF Augmented scale ScaleF# Whole tone scale

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how Abaug looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

Relative key: FmF minor
Dominant: EbEb major
Subdominant: DbDb major
Key signature: 4 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db)

What to learn next

ScaleAb Chromatic scaleScale to improvise over this chord ChordAb MajorA nearby chord on the same root — compare the sound PracticeChord trainerLock the fingering into muscle memory ProgressionChord progressionsHow this chord works inside real progressions ChordAb Dominant 7Another related chord to practise

Recommended for you

Ab MajorA chord that sounds close

Ab Dominant 7A chord that sounds close

Ab Chromatic scaleA scale related to this chord

Ab Persian scaleA scale related to this chord

Ab ByzantineA scale related to this chord

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

Reinforce it in practice — play and name notes on the interactive keyboard.

Open Trainer

Test yourself

(Press any key to start)

What notes are in the Abaug chord?

How do I build Abaug on the keyboard?

Which keys is Abaug found in?

What can I substitute for Abaug?