E Augmented Chord: Guitar, Piano and Notes
The E Augmented chord is built on the root note E. Its notes are E, G♯ and B♯.
Augmented chords feel floaty and uncertain. Raising the fifth of a major triad creates a symmetrical chord with no clear home, which suits transitions and dreamy film score moments.
E Augmented on piano
Switch to the interactive diagram to hear the chord, change voicing and swap finger numbers for note names.
To play E Augmented on piano, place your right-hand thumb on E, middle finger on G♯, and little finger on B♯. Press the keys together and listen for an even sound. Practice moving in and out of the chord slowly, then bring in a metronome.
E Augmented on guitar
Switch to the interactive diagram to hear the chord, change voicing and swap finger numbers for note names.
On guitar, E Augmented is commonly played with the voicing shown above. This one is a barre shape: keep the index finger flat across the fretboard and curve the others so they don't mute the strings next to them. Strum only the strings marked as active in the diagram.
Play the chord
E Augmented chord notes
| Degree | Interval | Semitones | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Root | 0 | E |
| 3 | Major third | 4 | G♯(G#) |
| ♯5 | Minor sixth | 8 | B♯(B#) |
How to use the E Augmented chord
The E Augmented chord is built from a root, a major third and an augmented fifth. Start at the root E and stack the intervals to get the whole chord: E, G♯ and B♯. The same formula gives you the chord in any other key.
Augmented chords show up in jazz, bossa nova, film scores and psychedelic rock. They're often used as a brief transition chord, for example between I and vi in a major key.
Common progressions
The E Augmented chord works beautifully in these progressions. Click a chord name to jump to its page.
Scales that contain E+
These scales include E+ as one of their diatonic chords. Use them to find melodies and improvisation ideas that fit perfectly.
Related chords to E Augmented
Once E Augmented feels comfortable, the chords below open up new progressions. Each one shares notes, keys or a harmonic function with it, which is what makes it the natural place to go next.
Frequently asked questions
What notes are in the E Augmented chord?
Is the E Augmented chord major or minor?
How do you play E Augmented on piano?
How do you play E Augmented on guitar?
What chords work well with E Augmented?
Keep exploring
Deepen your understanding of the E Augmented chord with our other music theory tools.