How to play the Caug chord on guitar

The Caug chord, pronounced C augmented, is a triad built on the root note C with a major third and an augmented fifth (C-E-G♯). This unique chord has a somewhat dissonant, tense sound due to the sharpened fifth. Caug is often used in jazz and classical music to add harmonic interest and create a sense of musical tension that begs to be resolved.

The standard way to play the Caug chord on guitar is as a barre chord on the 3rd fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Caug chord on your guitar:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings at the 3rd fret, creating a barre chord.
2. Place your middle finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 5th fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 5th fret of the 4th (D) string.

Strum all six strings together to play the Caug chord. Make sure to apply enough pressure with your index finger to properly fret all the strings in the barre chord.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Caug chord, try this:

1. Place your index finger on the first fret of the fourth (D) string.
2. Place your middle finger on the second fret of the third (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the third fret of the second (B) string.
4. Strum only these three strings together.

Playing a Caug chord as a barre chord can be a convenient way to quickly change to other chords in the same key, especially when playing up the neck.

Here's how to play a Caug bar chord:

1. Place your index finger across all six strings on the third fret, forming a barre.
2. Place your middle finger on the fourth fret of the fourth (D) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the fifth fret of the fifth (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the fifth fret of the third (G) string.
5. Strum all six strings from low to high.

The Common Caug chord progressions often create a sense of tension and resolution, adding a unique flavor to the harmonic structure. These progressions can evoke feelings of longing, sophistication, and even a touch of mystery. Some popular Common Caug chord progressions include:

• I - IV - I - I+: (C - F - C - Caug) Used in "All the Things You Are" and "Maria"
• I - I+ - IV - iv: (C - Caug - F - Fm) Used in "The Way You Look Tonight"
• I - vi - I+ - IV: (C - Am - Caug - F)
• I - I+ - ii - V: (C - Caug - Dm - G)
• I - I+ - vi - V: (C - Caug - Am - G)

To master the Caug guitar chord, start by practicing the chord transition from C major to Caug. Strum the C chord, then swiftly move your fingers to the Caug shape and strum again. Repeat this back and forth, gradually increasing your speed until the transition feels seamless.

Another effective drill is to arpeggiate the Caug chord, playing each note individually in ascending and descending order: C, E, G#, E, C. This exercise helps your fingers memorize the chord shape and improves your dexterity. Practice this pattern slowly at first, then gradually build up speed while maintaining accuracy.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Caug chord.

1. A Hard Day's Night by The Beatles (G, C, Caug, G, F, C, G, C)
2. The Fool on the Hill by The Beatles (D, G, Caug, G, D, Caug, G)
3. Martha My Dear by The Beatles (E, Emaj7, Caug, A7, D, B7, E, C#m7, F#7, B7)
4. Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen (Bb, Gm, Cm, F, F7, Bb, Eb, Bbm, Db, Ab, Eb7, Ab7, Db7, Gb7, Caug, Fm7, Bb7, Eb, Cm, Gm, Bb, F, Gm, Dm, Gm, Bb, F, Gm, F, Bb)
5. I Say a Little Prayer by Aretha Franklin (F#m7, B7, E, C#m7, F#7, B, Amaj7, F#m7, B7, Emaj7, G#m7, C#7, F#m7, Caug, F#7, Bm7, E7)
6. Moonlight Serenade by Glenn Miller (Am, Dm, G7, Cmaj7, Fmaj7, Bm7b5, E7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, G#dim, Am7, D7, Dm7, G7, Em7, A7, Dm7, G7, Cmaj7, Em7, Ebdim, Dm7, Caug, Cmaj7)
7. Dream a Little Dream of Me by Ella Fitzgerald (C, B7, Em, B7, Em, Caug, C, Am, D7, Dm7, G7)
8. Since I Fell for You by Lenny Welch (Fm7, Bbm7, Eb7, Abmaj7, Db7, Cm7, F7, Bbmaj7, G7, Cm7, Caug, Fm7, Bb7, Eb6)
9. My Favorite Things by John Coltrane (Em, Cmaj7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7, Caug, Fmaj7, Bm7b5, E7, Am7, D7, Gmaj7)
10. You Must Believe in Spring by Bill Evans (Amaj7, F#m7, Bm7, E7, Amaj7, D#m7, G#7, C#maj7, C#m7, F#7, Bmaj7, Dm7, Caug, C#m7, F#7)