G augmented chord on guitar (Gaug)

Gaug is G, B and D♯. The usual shape is 3-2-1-0-0-3. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

3-2-1-0-0-3 · open · medium

Notes: G · B · D♯
Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5
First shape: 3-2-1-0-0-3

How to play Gaug on guitar

Shape 1, 3-2-1-0-0-3, reading from the low E string on the left:

D♯: index finger, 1st fret of the D string.
B: middle finger, 2nd fret of the A string.
G: ring finger, 3rd fret of the low E string.
G: pinky finger, 3rd fret of the high E string.
Leave the G and B strings open: G and B.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.
This shape uses your pinky. It feels weak at first; press with the tip and let the finger stay curved.

Other ways to play Gaug

x-10-9-8-8-x: movable shape at the 8th fret, medium. This is the open Aaug shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
x-x-5-4-4-7: movable shape at the 4th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
15-14-13-12-12-x: partial barre shape at the 12th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.

Gaug the capo way

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 3rd fret and play the open Eaug shape (0-3-2-1-1-0) or capo on the 7th fret and play the open Caug shape (x-3-2-1-1-0). The chord sounds as Gaug because the capo raises every string by 3 half steps.

Changing from Gaug to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold Gaug for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

C (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV): Gaug (3-2-1-0-0-3) to C (x-3-2-0-1-0): your index finger lands on the B string, 1st fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret, the ring finger slides across to the A string at the same fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share G, which is why the change sounds smooth. C on guitar
D (V in G major): Gaug (3-2-1-0-0-3) to D (x-x-0-2-3-2): the index finger goes to the G string, 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, move the ring finger to the B string, 3rd fret. No finger can stay, so practice lifting all of them together and landing the new shape as a unit. D on guitar
Em (vi in G major): Gaug (3-2-1-0-0-3) to Em (0-2-2-0-0-0): your index finger lands on the A string, 2nd fret, the middle finger slides across to the D string at the same fret. Shared notes: G and B. Em on guitar

Gaug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Gaug is a stepping stone: it often moves on to the IV chord, with the raised fifth rising one more half step. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

A short Gaug drill

Pick shape 1 one string at a time, low to high: G, B, D♯, G, B, G. Every note should ring clearly; if one thuds, adjust that finger before you strum. Then switch to x-10-9-8-8-x and back four times without looking at your hand.

Keys and progressions with Gaug

Gaug on piano and ukulele

The same notes on another instrument: Gaug on piano and Gaug on ukulele. This page puts all three side by side.

Next to try on guitar

Other augmented chords

Gaug on guitar: questions

What notes are in Gaug on guitar?

G, B and D♯. In the 3-2-1-0-0-3 shape the strings play G (low E string), B (A string), D♯ (D string), G (G string, open), B (B string, open) and G (high E string), so G and B are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Gaug on guitar?

None of the Gaug shapes is a true beginner shape, but 3-2-1-0-0-3 comes closest. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, with open strings, and a capo is worth trying when the song allows.

Is Gaug a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: 3-2-1-0-0-3 needs no barre.

Which string does Gaug start on?

In the 3-2-1-0-0-3 shape the lowest string you play is the low E string at the 3rd fret, which is G, the root.

Every shape above plays only G, B and D♯, checked by the site's tests. Updated September 2026.