A+ Chord on Guitar

A+ is the A augmented chord — 3 notes (A, C♯, E♯) built from the formula 1 3 ♯5. Below are playable shapes across the fretboard, the keys it belongs to and the scales to use when soloing over it.

Notes: A · C♯ · E♯Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5Hear it and see it on the fretboard ▸

A+: Chord shapes (open & barre)

  • A+ – open position×R♯5R3♯5open position
  • A+ – fret 2R3♯5R3×fret 2
  • A+ – fret 55××R3♯5Rfret 5
  • A+ – fret 66××R3♯53fret 6
  • A+ – fret 77××R♯5R3fret 7
  • A+ – fret 1010×R3♯5R♯5fret 10
  • A+ – fret 1212×R♯5R3×fret 12

A+: Triad voicings (3 strings)

  • A+ – bass: RR3♯5×××bass: R
  • A+ – bass: R10×R3♯5××bass: R
  • A+ – bass: R6××R3♯5×bass: R
  • A+ – bass: R×××R3♯5bass: R
  • A+ – bass: 373♯5R×××bass: 3
  • A+ – bass: 3×3♯5R××bass: 3
  • A+ – bass: 310××3♯5R×bass: 3
  • A+ – bass: 35×××3♯5Rbass: 3
  • A+ – bass: ♯511♯5R3×××bass: ♯5
  • A+ – bass: ♯56×♯5R3××bass: ♯5
  • A+ – bass: ♯5××♯5R3×bass: ♯5
  • A+ – bass: ♯59×××♯5R3bass: ♯5

Scales to play over A+

Ordered from the most common choice. All of them contain A, C♯, E♯.

Other A chords

Augmented chords in other keys

FAQ

What notes are in the A+ chord?
A+ (A augmented) contains A, C♯, E♯ — formula 1 3 ♯5.
How do you play A+ on guitar?
A common shape is x03221 (low E to high E, x = muted string, open position). This page shows more shapes, drop 2, drop 3 and shell voicings in the interactive library.
What scale goes with A+?
Good choices to solo over A+: A Whole tone, A Lydian augmented, A Ionian ♯5.