Piano chord
AaugA augmented
- A1
- C♯3
- E♯♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 8semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play Aaug on piano
- Find A: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on A, 3 on C♯, 5 on E♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on A, 3 on C♯, 1 on E♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · A – C♯ – E♯
1st inversion · C♯ – E♯ – A
2nd inversion · E♯ – A – C♯
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
Aaug inversions
Here are all 3 positions of Aaug. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has A at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: ARight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: C♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: E♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
Aaug with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays A an octave lower, the right hand plays A–C♯–E♯.
Aaug on other instruments
About the Aaug chord
The 3 notes of A augmented are A (1), C♯ (3), E♯ (♯5). An augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Restless and dreamy, often used as a passing chord.
Put your thumb on A and count up: A – C♯ – E♯. The whole chord spans 8 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers Aaug without stretching.
The inversions of Aaug keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is C♯ (C♯–E♯–A). In the 2nd inversion the bass is E♯ (E♯–A–C♯).
Change one key and A becomes Aaug: replace E with E♯.
Questions
What notes are in the Aaug chord?
Aaug (A augmented) has 3 notes: A (1), C♯ (3), E♯ (♯5).
How many inversions does Aaug have?
Aaug can be played in 3 positions: Root position (A–C♯–E♯); 1st inversion (C♯–E♯–A); 2nd inversion (E♯–A–C♯).
What is the difference between Aaug and A?
Change one key and A becomes Aaug: replace E with E♯.
Can I play Aaug with one hand?
Yes. In root position Aaug spans 8 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.