What notes are in a D augmented chord?

D augmented contains three notes: D (the root), F♯ (the major third), and A♯ (the augmented fifth).

Is D augmented the same as F♯ augmented?

Enharmonically yes — same three pitches in different inversions. D+, F♯+, and A♯+ are all the same chord in pitch class.

How does D augmented resolve?

In B minor, D+ resolves to G major (III+ → VI) by lowering the A♯ to A or B. In major-key writing, D+ often acts as a chromatic preparation for G major.

What's the difference between D+ and D major?

Only the fifth changes. D major is D–F♯–A; D+ raises the A to A♯. That single semitone shift turns a stable major chord into an unstable augmented one.

D augmented chord — notes, intervals, and practice

D augmented — D, F♯, A♯ — stacks two major thirds. The chord is part of the symmetric augmented triad family; D+, F♯+, and A♯+ all spell the same three pitches in different inversions. D+ functions as III+ of B harmonic minor and as a chromatic colour chord in major-key writing.

Intervals

The D augmented chord stacks two thirds on the root. Each interval and its size in semitones:

D→F#major 3rd4 semitones
F#→A#major 3rd4 semitones
D→A#augmented 5th8 semitones

On the keyboard

Each note of the D augmented chord highlighted on a piano. Pitch class is what matters — any octave works.

On the guitar

One voicing of the D augmented chord on a six-string guitar fretboard.

Common mistakes

The fifth of D+ is A♯, not A natural. The chord stacks a major third on top of D-F♯ to land on A♯. Replacing A♯ with A makes a D major chord — same root, but a stable major harmony rather than the augmented colour. The two-sharp pattern (F♯, A♯) is the chord's key signature inside D-major contexts.

In context

D+ functions as III+ of B harmonic minor: Bm → D+ → G is i → III+ → VI. In major-key writing, D+ often appears as a chromatic-mediant approach to G major or B♭ major. Jazz uses it as an altered dominant in G minor cadences.

Drill it

The D augmented chord is one of 48 in the Chord Trainer. Open the full trainer to practice it alongside related chords with timing and best-time tracking.

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Frequently asked

What notes are in a D augmented chord?: D augmented contains three notes: D (the root), F♯ (the major third), and A♯ (the augmented fifth).
Is D augmented the same as F♯ augmented?: Enharmonically yes — same three pitches in different inversions. D+, F♯+, and A♯+ are all the same chord in pitch class.
How does D augmented resolve?: In B minor, D+ resolves to G major (III+ → VI) by lowering the A♯ to A or B. In major-key writing, D+ often acts as a chromatic preparation for G major.
What's the difference between D+ and D major?: Only the fifth changes. D major is D–F♯–A; D+ raises the A to A♯. That single semitone shift turns a stable major chord into an unstable augmented one.