A phrase in D♭ minor
- C♯m
- Caug
- A♭7
- C♯m
Hear Caug in a tonic–chord–dominant–tonic phrase. Its role depends on its position, not just its quality.
Discover the chord. Understand the music.
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Selected:C4E4A♭4
- Root
- 3rd / sus
- 5th
- 7th
- 6th / extensions
Caug
C augmented
3 readings
A root, a major third and an augmented fifth — two stacked major thirds.
- Chord tones
- C1 · RootE3 · 3rdG♯♯5 · 5th
- Formula
- 1–3–♯5
- Root / bass
- C / C
- Notes played (low → high)
- C4 · E4 · A♭4
Other valid readings — choose the root you hear:
Caug · augmented
How to Use This Chord
Sound & role
An unstable colour; its destination determines whether it connects chords or creates tension.
Genre examples
Classical
Jazz
Examples of musical settings, not restrictions or claims about how often this chord appears.
Connection & passing potential
No specific chromatic passing use is established by these notes alone. A passing function requires a starting chord, a destination and voice movement.
Diatonic context · example keys
Every chord tone fits these example keys. Other keys may also fit; the chord root is not assumed to be the tonic.
D♭ minor · ♯VII+
harmonic minor, ascending melodic minor
F minor · V+
harmonic minor, ascending melodic minor