What notes are in an E augmented chord?

E augmented contains three notes: E (the root), G♯ (the major third), and B♯ (the augmented fifth — same pitch as C).

Why is the fifth B♯ instead of C?

The augmented triad uses each of three letters in a stacked-thirds pattern: E-G-B. The fifth must sit on the B letter, which becomes B♯ when raised a half step from B natural.

Is E augmented the same as A♭ augmented?

Enharmonically yes — same three pitches, different roots. E+, G♯+, and B♯+ (= C+) all share E, G♯, and C in pitch.

How does E augmented resolve?

In C♯ minor, E+ resolves to A major (III+ → VI). In E major, E+ often acts as a chromatic neighbour to the tonic, with the augmented fifth resolving up to C♯ (the sixth scale degree).

E augmented chord — notes, intervals, and practice

E augmented — E, G♯, B♯ — stacks two major thirds. The B♯ (enharmonic to C natural) is the chord's tell that you're in serious sharp-key territory. E+ functions as III+ of C♯ harmonic minor and as a chromatic colour chord in A major or E major.

Intervals

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

E→G#major 3rd4 semitones
G#→B#major 3rd4 semitones
E→B#augmented 5th8 semitones

On the keyboard

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

On the guitar

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

Common mistakes

The fifth is B♯, enharmonic to C natural. Reading it as C is technically wrong inside a sharp-key context but the pitch is identical. In jazz lead-sheet practice the chord is sometimes written E+ with C as the fifth; in classical notation B♯ is the proper spelling inside C♯-minor key areas.

In context

E+ functions as III+ of C♯ harmonic minor — the natural minor III chord raised by the harmonic-minor leading-tone B♯. The progression C♯m → E+ → A (i → III+ → VI) is a classic Romantic-era turn. Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata uses augmented sonorities for similar dramatic colour.

Drill it

The E 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 an E augmented chord?: E augmented contains three notes: E (the root), G♯ (the major third), and B♯ (the augmented fifth — same pitch as C).
Why is the fifth B♯ instead of C?: The augmented triad uses each of three letters in a stacked-thirds pattern: E-G-B. The fifth must sit on the B letter, which becomes B♯ when raised a half step from B natural.
Is E augmented the same as A♭ augmented?: Enharmonically yes — same three pitches, different roots. E+, G♯+, and B♯+ (= C+) all share E, G♯, and C in pitch.
How does E augmented resolve?: In C♯ minor, E+ resolves to A major (III+ → VI). In E major, E+ often acts as a chromatic neighbour to the tonic, with the augmented fifth resolving up to C♯ (the sixth scale degree).