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    YoutubeMusic Theory Video SeriesA step-by-step guide to music theory fundamentals. These 60-second videos provide a clear, structured path to understanding how music works, optimized for a full-screen learning experience.YoutubeMusic Theory ShortsMaster music theory concepts in 60 seconds or less. Quick, vertical videos designed to give you essential theory knowledge in a fast-paced, mobile-friendly format.
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    1. Home
    3. Interval Library
    5. A flat
    7. Augmented fifth

    Augmented fifth

    The distance spanning five note names, with 8 semitones between them.

    A58 semitones

    Guitar diagrams

    Sheet music

    Which chords use the Augmented fifth interval?

    Chords whose formulas include this interval from the root note.

    Which scales use the Augmented fifth interval?

    Scales whose formulas include this interval.

    Similar intervals

    Intervals with a comparable quality and character.

    Practice the Augmented fifth interval

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    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    Practice the Augmented fifth interval

    Open the app and start your daily workout!

    Learn music theory with sonid

    Available on Android and iOS

    The augmented fifth (A5) spans 8 semitones. It is a widened fifth with a bright, tense color often used in altered harmony and chromatic writing.

    Construction and spelling

    A5 is built by raising a perfect fifth by one semitone, for example C-G#. Even when it sounds like m6 in equal temperament, the spelling signals expanded-fifth function. This matters for harmonic meaning.

    Harmonic and melodic usage

    Harmonically, A5 appears in augmented triads, altered dominants, and coloristic chord voicings. Melodically, it creates lift and instability. It is useful when you want intensity without the exact profile of a spelling.

    NameAbbreviationDifficulty
    Augmented fourthA4Intermediate
    Augmented octaveA8Guru
    Augmented undecimeA11Guru
    Augmented unisonA1Guru
    minor sixth

    Examples

    • Augmented triads in film and late-romantic textures
    • Altered dominant sonorities in jazz harmony
    • Chromatic voice-leading with raised fifth tendencies

    In practice

    Practice A5 against P5 and m6 to separate spelling from sound. Voice-lead A5 into stable intervals to hear directed resolution. Accurate A5 recognition strengthens altered-harmony fluency.

    NameAliasesDifficulty
    A flat Augmentedaug, +, +5, ^#5Beginner
    A flat Dominant ninth sharp fifth9#5, 9+Intermediate
    A flat Dominant ninth sharp fifth sharp eleventh9#5#11Intermediate
    A flat Major ninth sharp fifthmaj9#5, Maj9#5Intermediate
    A flat Minor sharp fifthm#5, -#5, m+Intermediate
    m11AIntermediate
    +add#9Expert
    7#5#9, 7#9#5, 7altExpert
    7#5b9, 7b9#5Expert
    7#5sus4Expert
    maj7#5, maj7+5, +maj7, ^7#5Expert
    7#5, +7, 7+, 7aug, aug7Guru
    7#5b9#11Guru
    M#5add9, +add9Guru
    M7#5sus4Guru
    M9#5sus4Guru
    A flat Minor eleventh augmented
    A flat Augmented add sharp ninth
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth sharp ninth
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth flat ninth
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth
    A flat Major seventh sharp fifth
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth
    A flat Dominant seventh sharp fifth flat ninth sharp eleventh
    A flat Major sharp fifth add ninth
    A flat Major seventh sharp fifth suspended fourth
    A flat Major ninth sharp fifth suspended fourth
    NameAliasesDifficulty
    A flat Augmented-Easy
    A flat Leading whole tone-Easy
    A flat Whole tonemessiaen's mode #1Easy
    A flat Major augmentedmajor #5, ionian augmented, ionian #5Intermediate
    A flat Lydian Augmented-Intermediate
    -Expert
    -Expert
    -Guru
    -Guru
    -Guru
    A flat Bebop major
    A flat Six tone symmetric
    A flat Augmented heptatonic
    A flat Messiaen's mode 6
    A flat Lydian sharp fifth pentatonic