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E-flat Augmented Chord
The E-flat Augmented Chord is E-flat, G, and B, with the thumb on a black key and two white keys above. The intervals are equal, and the chord has that suspended, floating quality. With the thumb on the black key, let's keep the hand far enough in that the other fingers still land comfortably on the white keys.
How to play the E-flat Augmented Chord on the piano
Let’s go through some charts that will familiarize you with the E-flat Augmented Chord and how to play it in the various forms you will encounter in pieces of music. First, we’ll look at the fundamental chord and its inversions; then, we’ll explore some more complex voicings.
The E-flat Augmented Chord in root position
In root position, the notes of the E♭ augmented chord are stacked in thirds with E♭ on the bottom. The appearance on the staff is evenly spaced, as is the feeling of the space in between your fingers while playing.
| E-flat Augmented Chord in root position | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | E♭ G B |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | E♭aug or E♭+ |
The E-flat Augmented Chord in first inversion
In first inversion, the third of the chord (G) becomes the bottom note, and the root (E♭) jumps up to the top.
| E-flat Augmented Chord in 1st inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | G B E♭ |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | E♭+6 or E♭+/G |
The E-flat Augmented Chord in second inversion
In second inversion, the fifth of the chord (B) is on the bottom, and the third of the chord (G) goes to the top.
| E-flat Augmented Chord in 2nd inversion | |
|---|---|
| Note Order | B E♭ G |
| Left Hand Fingering | 5 3 1 |
| Right Hand Fingering | 1 3 5 |
| Chord Symbol | E♭+6/4 or E♭+/B |
E-flat Augmented Chord theory and function
An augmented chord stacks two major thirds. Because the intervals are equal, no note sounds like a tonic, and the chord has no place to rest. It is a coloring chord, not a home chord: it hangs in the air and asks for a resolution.
The E♭ augmented chord is the raised-fifth dominant (V+) in A♭ major. In minor keys, it is the mediant (III+) in C minor.
It is often heard in the chromatic line E♭ – E♭+ – E♭6 – E♭7, where the top voice rises B♭, B, C, D♭ and the raised fifth is the step that makes it move. The same three notes also make G augmented and B augmented, so one shape on the keyboard serves three chords, and the key decides which name is right. Try playing E♭ and then E♭+ and listen to how the raised top note lifts the sound.
Other chords built on E-flat
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