Gaug / G+ Chord Guide

This page dives into the G augmented (Gaug / G+) chord for guitar - its voicings, compatible scales and modes, plus where it injects that bright, tense, unresolved drama. Gaug (G • B • D#) raises the fifth for a symmetrical, shimmering triad that loves to pull toward C or E major/minor.

Chord Voicings & Tablature

Common ways to play Gaug. ASCII diagrams show the fretboard (low E on top).

Open-Area Classic (xx1003)

e|---3---| B|---0---| G|---0---| D|---1---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

Full Barre (32100x)

e|---x---| B|---0---| G|---0---| D|---1---| A|---2---| E|---3---|

Movable Root (xx5443)

e|---3---| B|---4---| G|---4---| D|---5---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

High Sparkle

e|--11---| B|---8---| G|---8---| D|---9---| A|---x---| E|---x---|

Scales & Modes That Fit Perfectly

Augmented & Whole-Tone

G Augmented Scale: G B C D# E G (symmetrical)

e|-------------------------------3-4-|
B|-------------------------0-3-------|
G|-------------------0-1-4-----------|
D|-------------0-1-4-----------------|
A|-------0-2-3-----------------------|
E|-0-3-4-----------------------------|

G Whole-Tone: G A B C# D# F G (pure augmented harmony)

e|-----------------------------4-6-|
B|-------------------------4-6-----|
G|-------------------3-5-6---------|
D|-------------3-5-6---------------|
A|-------3-5-6---------------------|
E|-3-5-6---------------------------|

Harmonic Context

E Harmonic Minor: E F# G A B C D# E (Gaug = III+)

e|-------------------------------4-6-7-|
B|-------------------------4-6-7-------|
G|-------------------4-5-7-------------|
D|-------------4-6-7-------------------|
A|-------4-6-7-------------------------|
E|-4-6-7-------------------------------|

G Lydian Augmented: G A B C# D# E# F# G

e|-------------------------------4-6-8-|
B|-------------------------4-6-8-------|
G|-------------------4-5-7-------------|
D|-------------4-6-7-------------------|
A|-------4-6-7-------------------------|
E|-4-6-8-------------------------------|

G+ in Legendary Songs

The bright, tense shimmer of augmented chords adds drama in jazz, Broadway, metal, and classic rock:

"Oh Darling" by The Beatles – Classic Gaug in the bridge for that emotional lift.
"Laughing" by The Guess Who – Iconic Gaug tension in the intro riff.
"The Man Who Sold the World" by David Bowie – Gaug creates eerie atmosphere.
"All Day and All of the Night" by The Kinks – Power-chord Gaug in the riff.
Jazz standards like "Body and Soul" – Augmented chords for rich reharmonization.
Metal/shred – Augmented triads for exotic, symmetrical runs.