F#aug

F# Augmented

Octaves

Musical context

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

Theory

General info

Full name
F# Augmented
Symbol
F#aug
Root
F#
Quality
Augmented

Chord notes

1F#root
3A#major 3rd
#5Daug 5th

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension
Marked tension — unstable, seeks resolution
Most common resolutions
Unstable degrees
#5D
6D#
resolves up to the 6th
Main resolution
F#augsource
F#F# Major
Augmented F#aug 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
F#augsource
Deceptive resolution
F#mF# 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.
F#augsource
No resolution needed
In a whole-tone context, the augmented chord can be used as a color chord — without mandatory resolution.
F#augsource
Jazz reharmonization
BB Major
In jazz, aug often acts as a dominant with raised 5th, resolving up a 4th as a V7 substitute.
F#augsource
Functional resolution
A#A# Major
Due to its symmetry (equal intervals), an augmented chord can resolve to chords a major 3rd apart.
Ebmharmonic minor
F#augdegree III
The raised 7th of harmonic minor makes the III triad augmented — F#aug arises within the key on its own.
F#augV+
Bresolution
As a dominant it resolves a fourth up: the raised fifth (D) rises a semitone into the tonic's third (Eb).

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

v1F#(F#4)Bass
root
v2A#(A#4)M3from F#
v3D(D5)M3from A#

Harmony

Compatible scales

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

This chord on guitar 🎸

See how F#aug looks on guitar.

Explore

Circle of fifths

Highlighted major keys contain this chord among their diatonic harmonies.

CAmGEmDBmAF#mEC#mBG#mF#D#mDbBbmAbFmEbCmBbGmFDmF#major
Relative key
Dominant
Subdominant
Key signature
6 sharps (F#, C#, G#, D#, A#, E#)

Practice

Keyboard Trainer

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Frequently Asked Questions