Caug Guitar Chord
Caug is an augmented chord. It raises the fifth of a major chord by a half step for a floating, unresolved sound. Moving the shape four frets gives the same three notes. Its notes are C, E and G#. Below is one way to play it, with a chord diagram, tab and finger numbers.
Notes in Caug
| Note | Degree | Interval |
|---|---|---|
| C | R | Root |
| E | 3 | Major 3rd |
| G# | #5 | Augmented 5th |
Formula: 1–3–#5
Caug chord shapes
Finger numbers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 pinky. In the tab, x means don't play that string and 0 means play it open. In the diagrams the top line is the 1st (thinnest) string and the nut is on the left.
Aug shape 8fr
Easiest- Tab (6th → 1st string)
- 8 11 10 9 9 8
- Fingers
- 1 4 3 2 2 1
How to play Caug (easiest shape)
Shape: Aug shape 8fr, tab 8 11 10 9 9 8 (6th to 1st string).
- 1Lay your index finger (1) flat across the 6th to 1st strings at the 8th fret (a barre).
- 2Press the 3rd and 2nd strings at the 9th fret with your middle finger (2).
- 3Put your ring finger (3) on the 4th string at the 10th fret.
- 4Put your pinky (4) on the 5th string at the 11th fret.
- 5Strum down from the 6th string to the 1st string.
Caug: common questions
- What notes are in the Caug chord?
- Caug has 3 notes: C, E and G#. Counted from the root, that is 1–3–#5.
- Is there an easier way to play Caug?
- The easiest shape on this page is "Aug shape 8fr" (8 11 10 9 9 8). Every shape on this page is a barre chord. Barre shapes are movable: keep the same hand shape and slide it along the neck to play this type of chord from other roots.
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