Ebaug

Eb Augmented

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

Full name
Eb Augmented
Symbol
Ebaug
Root
Eb
Quality
Augmented

Chord notes

1Ebroot
3Gmajor 3rd
#5Baug 5th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension
Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions
Unstable degrees
#5B
6C
resolves up to the 6th
Main resolution
Ebaugsource
EbEb Major
Augmented Ebaug 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
Ebaugsource
Deceptive resolution
EbmEb 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.
Ebaugsource
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
Ebaugsource
Jazz reharmonization
AbAb Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
Ebaugsource
Functional resolution
GG Major
Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.
Cmharmonic minor
Ebaugdegree III
The raised 7th of harmonic minor makes the III triad augmented — Ebaug arises within the key on its own.
EbaugV+
Abresolution
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

v1Eb(Eb4)Bass
root
v2G(G4)M3from Eb
v3B(B4)M3from G

Harmony

Compatible scales

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

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how Ebaug looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmEbmajor
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
3 flats (Bb, Eb, Ab)

Practice

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Frequently Asked Questions