Eaug

Q: What notes are in the Eaug chord?

The Eaug chord (E Augmented) contains: E, G#, B#. Its interval structure is shown above in the Theory section.

Q: How do I build Eaug 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 Eaug 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 Eaug?

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.

E Augmented

Octaves

Musical context

ChordEaugE Augmented

ArpeggioE majorBroken triad

ScaleE major7 notes

KeyE majorMajor key

ProgressionPop axisSequence

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

Theory

General info

Full name: E Augmented
Symbol: Eaug
Root: E
Quality: Augmented

Chord notes

1Eroot

3G#major 3rd

#5B#aug 5th

Functions & resolutions

Typical function in key: ITonic (I)E major
Stability / tension: Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions: EE Major AA Major
Unstable degrees: #5C
6C#
resolves up to the 6th
Main resolution: Eaugsource
EE Major
Augmented Eaug 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: Eaugsource
Deceptive resolution
EmE 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.
Eaugsource
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
Eaugsource
Jazz reharmonization
AA Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
Eaugsource
Functional resolution
G#G# Major
Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.

C#mharmonic minor

Eaugdegree III

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

EaugV+

Aresolution

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

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

v1E(E4)Bass

root

v2G#(G#4)M3from E

v3B#(B#5)M3from G#

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 Eaug looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

Relative key: C#mC# minor
Dominant: BB major
Subdominant: AA major
Key signature: 4 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#)

What to learn next

ScaleE Chromatic scaleScale to improvise over this chord ChordE 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 ChordE Dominant 7Another related chord to practise

Recommended for you

E MajorA chord that sounds close

E Dominant 7A chord that sounds close

E Chromatic scaleA scale related to this chord

E Persian scaleA scale related to this chord

E 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 Eaug chord?

How do I build Eaug on the keyboard?

Which keys is Eaug found in?

What can I substitute for Eaug?