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New Released in April 2026

C Augmented Chord on Piano (Caug)

To play Caug on the piano, press C, E, G# together. Start from C and move the fifth up a semitone: that one key turns it into Caug. Below: the keyboard, the three positions, how it compares with C and Cm, and where it goes next.

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  • MIDI keyboard
  • Digital or acoustic piano
  • Guitar
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Caug C E G#

Four triads on C

One key changes and the chord changes family.

ChordNotesThirdFifth
C C E Gmajor 3rdperfect 5th
Cm C Eb Gminor 3rdperfect 5th
Cdim C Eb Gbminor 3rddiminished 5th
Caug C E G#major 3rdaugmented 5th

What Caug does in music

  • Caug is the III+ chord in the harmonic minor scale of A minor.
  • Its thirds are equal, so Caug, Eaug and Abaug use the same three keys: the root is whichever note you treat as home.
  • A common move is C → Caug → F: the raised fifth G# pushes up to A.

F · C

The C augmented chord and its inversions

Thumb, middle and little finger in the right hand: 1-3-5.

Caug C E G#

Root position: C E G#

Caug E G# C

1st inversion: E G# C

Caug G# C E

2nd inversion: G# C E

  • Root position: starts on C, a white key; black keys: G#
  • 1st inversion: starts on E, a white key; black keys: G#
  • 2nd inversion: starts on G#, a black key; black keys: G#
ChordRunner showing a chord block while hands play the piano

Make Caug automatic

ChordRunner mixes Caug with the chords around it and checks every note you play. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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All piano chords · Augmented chords explained

Common questions

How do you play Caug on the piano?

Press C, E, G# together: right hand 1-3-5 with the thumb on C, left hand 5-3-1 with the little finger on C.

What is the difference between Caug and C?

One note. C has G on top; Caug moves it to G#. The new fifth is what gives Caug its floating, unresolved sound.

Where does Caug go?

Caug is the III+ chord in the harmonic minor scale of A minor. Its thirds are equal, so Caug, Eaug and Abaug use the same three keys: the root is whichever note you treat as home.

Can I practise Caug with a MIDI keyboard or microphone?

Yes. ChordRunner detects a USB MIDI keyboard automatically and also hears an acoustic piano through the microphone. Caug counts in any position, as long as C, E, G# sound together.

Your instrument is the controller.

ChordRunner is a browser game that teaches piano and guitar chords: a chord appears on screen, you play it on a real instrument, and your runner jumps. MIDI keyboard or microphone, both work.

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