Chord Information
Learn how to play Faug on piano
Notes in Chord
Intervals
Inversion
Notes (bottom to top): F4 - A4 - C#5
Right Hand Fingering
3=middle, 4=ring, 5=pinky
Interactive Piano
Click the highlighted keys to play the Faug chord
About the Faug Chord
The F augmented chord creates a warm yet unresolved sound that has made it useful for romantic and impressionistic music. Built from F-A-C#, this chord stretches F major's gentle quality by raising the fifth, adding a yearning tension that seeks resolution.
F augmented is symmetrically related to A augmented and C# augmented—all three share the same pitches in different arrangements. This makes F+ useful for connecting F, A, and C#/Db key areas, providing options that more common chords don't offer.
The F-A-C# shape on piano is comfortable, with F and A on white keys and C# on black. This accessible position makes F+ a good chord for learning augmented harmony.
Music Theory & Usage
F augmented often functions as an altered dominant in Bb major or as a chromatic passing chord. Moving from F to F+ to Bb creates voice leading where C# rises to D. It also appears in whole-tone scale contexts and impressionistic passages.
Jazz musicians use F+ in altered dominant voicings in flat-key contexts. Classical composers employed it for moments of harmonic color. Its warm quality makes it less jarring than some augmented chords.
Famous Songs Using Faug
Hear how professional musicians use the Faug chord in these well-known songs:
“Honey Pie”
by The Beatles
Vaudeville-style tune using chromatic augmented harmony
“Dream a Little Dream of Me”
by Mama Cass
Jazz standard featuring chromatic chord movement
“Pavane”
by Gabriel Fauré
Uses chromatic harmony including augmented chord colors
“Smile”
by Charlie Chaplin
The gentle melody uses sophisticated chromatic harmony
How to Play Faug on Piano
- Place your thumb on F.
- Place your middle finger on A.
- Place your pinky finger on C#.
- Press all keys simultaneously to hear the Faug chord.
Recommended fingering: 1-3-5 (right hand)
Faug Chord Inversions
The Faug chord can be played in different inversions:
Root Position
F - A - C# (bass note: F)
First Inversion
A - C# - F (bass note: A)
Second Inversion
C# - F - A (bass note: C#)
Common Chord Progressions Using Faug
I-IV-V Progression
Common chord progression
I-V-vi-IV Progression
Common chord progression
Practice Tips for Faug
- Start slowly and focus on pressing all keys simultaneously for a clean sound.
- Practice transitioning between Faug and other common chords to build muscle memory.
- This is a fundamental chord - master it in all inversions before moving to complex chords.
- Try playing Faug as part of simple progressions to understand its harmonic function.
Frequently Asked Questions about Faug
How does F augmented differ from F major?
F major (F-A-C) has a perfect fifth; F+ (F-A-C#) has an augmented fifth. The C# creates floating tension where F major sounds complete. F+ needs to move somewhere; F major can rest.
What is the fingering for F augmented?
For right hand, use 1-3-5 (thumb on F, middle on A, pinky on C#). For left hand, use 5-3-1. The C# black key falls naturally under the pinky (RH) or thumb (LH). This shape is comfortable and common.
What chords does F augmented resolve to?
F+ commonly resolves to Bb major (C# moves to D), to F major (C# moves down to C), or to Dm (C# moves to D). The raised fifth typically moves by half step to its resolution.
What keys can F augmented connect?
F+ (F-A-C#) connects F, A, and C#/Db equally well. It can pivot between these distant keys or serve as a chromatic passing chord in progressions involving any of them. This flexibility makes it a powerful modulation tool.