G♭ augmented chord on guitar (G♭aug)

G♭aug is G♭, B♭ and D. The usual shape is x-x-4-3-3-2. Press Play to hear it, then try it at half speed.

x-x-4-3-3-2 · movable · medium

Notes: G♭ · B♭ · D
Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5
First shape: x-x-4-3-3-2

How to play G♭aug on guitar

Shape 1, x-x-4-3-3-2, reading from the low E string on the left, starts at the 2nd fret:

Index finger: high E string, 2nd fret (G♭).
Middle finger: G string, 3rd fret (B♭).
Ring finger: B string, 3rd fret (D).
Pinky: D string, 4th fret (G♭).
Don't play the low E and A strings: start your strum on the D string.

The pinky takes a note here. Keep it curved and close to the fretboard between chords so it has less distance to travel.
Only four strings sound, so strum from the string marked first and aim your pick at the treble strings.

Other ways to play G♭aug

x-9-8-7-7-x: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. This is the open Aaug shape with a barre behind it, root on the 5th string.
14-13-12-11-11-x: partial barre shape at the 11th fret, medium. A high voicing for when the low version is taken by another instrument.

Playing G♭aug with a capo

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 2nd fret and play the open Eaug shape (0-3-2-1-1-0) or capo on the 6th fret and play the open Caug shape (x-3-2-1-1-0). The chord sounds as G♭aug because the capo raises every string by 2 half steps.

G♭aug chord changes

These are the changes you'll meet most often with G♭aug, using the first shape of each chord.

B (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV): G♭aug (x-x-4-3-3-2) to B (x-2-4-4-4-2): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 2nd fret, move the middle finger to the D string, 4th fret, the ring finger goes to the G string, 4th fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. G♭ carries over from one chord to the other. B on guitar
C♯ (V in F♯ major): G♭aug (x-x-4-3-3-2) to C♯ (x-4-6-6-6-4): the index finger lays across the A to high E strings at the 4th fret, the middle finger goes to the D string, 6th fret, your ring finger lands on the G string, 6th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. C♯ on guitar
E♭m (vi in F♯ major): G♭aug (x-x-4-3-3-2) to E♭m (x-x-1-3-4-2): your index finger lands on the D string, 1st fret, your middle finger lands on the high E string, 2nd fret, the ring finger slides across to the G string at the same fret. Everything moves: lift the whole hand and place the new shape in one go. The two chords share G♭ and B♭, which is why the change sounds smooth. E♭m on guitar

G♭aug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. G♭aug is a stepping stone: it often moves on to the IV chord, with the raised fifth rising one more half step. Play it once strummed and once picked to hear the difference.

Practice G♭aug in two minutes

Arpeggiate x-x-4-3-3-2 from the lowest string: G♭, B♭, D, G♭. Then strum it and listen for the same 4 notes together. Finish by moving between x-x-4-3-3-2 and x-9-8-7-7-x to learn two positions of the same chord.

Written F♯aug, it's the same chord with the same frets.

G♭aug in context

G♭aug on piano and ukulele

Switching instruments? Try G♭aug on ukulele or G♭aug on piano, or compare them on the G♭aug chord page.

Close to G♭aug

Other augmented chords

G♭aug on guitar: questions

What notes are in G♭aug on guitar?

G♭, B♭ and D. In the x-x-4-3-3-2 shape the strings play G♭ (D string), B♭ (G string), D (B string) and G♭ (high E string), so G♭ is doubled.

What's the easiest way to play G♭aug on guitar?

In standard tuning G♭aug can't use open strings. Begin with x-x-4-3-3-2. It uses 4 fingers and no barre, and a capo can make it easier in some songs.

Is G♭aug a barre chord on guitar?

Not in its common form: x-x-4-3-3-2 needs no barre.

Which string does G♭aug start on?

In the x-x-4-3-3-2 shape the lowest string you play is the D string at the 4th fret, which is G♭, the root. Skip the low E and A strings.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside G♭aug. Updated September 2026.