Ascending Augmented Chord Progression (I Iaug I6 I7)
The Ascending augmented is the chord progression I-Iaug-I6-I7. In the key of C major it is C Caug C6 C7, and in the Nashville Number System it is written 1 1(aug) 1(6) 1(7).
Chords from outside the key of C major: Caug, C7.
Jump to the chords and audio in C, G, D, A and E
Why it works
A line cliche: one note climbs by half steps over a static root. In C the fifth rises G-G#-A-Bb, turning C into Caug, C6 and C7, and the C7 then points to IV. The harmony barely changes, the moving inner voice does all the work.
How to use it
Here we have a progression that uses an augmented and sixth chord. It is often known as ascending augmented and gives a rising feeling in the overall song. It's a great progression to show how unique the chords can get.
Songs that use it
These are the chords as played in each song, in the song's own key.
| Song | Artist | Section | Chords | Key |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greatest Love of All | Whitney Houston | verse | A Aaug A6 A7 | A major |
| Love Will Keep Us Together | Captain & Tennille | chorus | B Baug B6 B7 | B major |
| Kashmir | Led Zeppelin | intro and verse | D Daug D6 D7 | D major |
| Isolation | John Lennon | verse | D Daug D6 D7/C | D major |
| Underground | Ben Folds Five | verse | B Baug B6 B7 | B major |
Ascending Augmented Chord Progression: Chords and Audio in C, G, D, A and E
Press play to hear each key. The diagrams show the shapes used in the audio, and every chord links to its full page.
More progressions like this one
- Ragtime progression: C A7 D7 G7
- I-IV-II-V: C F D G
- Montgomery-Ward bridge: C F Dm G
- iii-vi-ii-V: Em Am Dm G
All guitar chord progressions →
Created by
Giancarlo is a musician (teaching guitar since 2000), software engineer, AI consultant and published researcher
FAQ
What are the chords of the Ascending augmented in each key?
In C major: C Caug C6 C7. In G major: G Gaug G6 G7. In D major: D Daug D6 D7. In A major: A Aaug A6 A7. In E major: E Eaug E6 E7.
Which songs use the Ascending augmented?
Songs that use it include Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston, Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain & Tennille, Kashmir by Led Zeppelin.
