Daug Guitar Chord

Daug is the D augmented chord. It has three notes: D, F♯ and A♯. It is one of the friendliest augmented chords on guitar: the open shape is just D major with one note moved up a fret, three fingers and no barre. Its signature move is rocking back and forth with plain D.

Open D major with the G string note raised one fret: middle and ring sit together at fret 3, index at fret 2 on the high E. The open D string carries the root.

How to play Daug, step by step

Index finger: 2nd fret, high E string
Middle finger: 3rd fret, G string
Ring finger: 3rd fret, B string
Leave the D string open. Strum from the D string down, skipping the two lowest strings.

Practice switching between D and Daug until it is automatic. Only the note on the G string changes, from the 2nd fret to the 3rd, and that switch is exactly how songs use this chord.

More ways to play Daug

There are 2 common Daug shapes in total: the standard one at the top of the page, plus these, easiest first. You only ever need one. Tap any card to hear it.

Daug guitar chord diagram, compact, frets 3 to 5, played x5433x — Compact, frets 3 to 5

If a string buzzes or dies

High E buzzes at the 2nd fret: The index sits a fret below the middle and ring pair and gets pushed flat. Curl it and press with the tip, close behind the fret.
Open D string sounds muted: Check the middle finger on the G string. If it leans back at all, its base brushes the D string. Arch it away.
The low strings ring into the chord: Neither the low E nor the A belongs in Daug. Aim the strum at the D string; if the A keeps sneaking in, rest your thumb tip over the edge of the neck.

What makes it a Daug

D · F♯ · A♯ 1 3 ♯5

Daug is an augmented triad: D major with the fifth raised a half step, A becoming A♯. That A♯ is restless on purpose. It sits one fret above the note your ear expects, and it wants to keep moving, either up to B or onward into the next chord. This is why Daug almost always appears in motion.

The most famous use is the vamp between D and Daug: the fifth rocks from A to A♯ and back while the rest of the chord holds still, exactly what Baby Hold On rides for its whole groove. The other standard job is the V chord of G with a raised fifth, D to Daug to G, where the A♯ resolves up to B inside the G chord.

D vs Daug

One note separates them: the A on the G string of open D major rises a half step to A♯ in Daug. Your fingers reshuffle slightly to make room, but the shape and feel stay close. D is the stable chord you can strum for days; Daug is the same chord leaning forward. Alternate them for a vamp that never quite settles, or use Daug once, for a bar, to push a progression from D into G.

Daug chord questions

Is Daug a beginner friendly chord?

Yes. The open shape uses three fingers with no barre, and anyone comfortable with open D major can learn it in minutes since only one note moves.

What songs use Daug?

Baby Hold On by Eddie Money is the classic example: the main riff alternates D and Daug throughout. The D to Daug rock is the chord's signature sound.

What is the difference between D and Daug?

Daug raises the fifth of D major a half step, from A to A♯. On the open shape that is one finger moving up one fret on the G string.

What does Daug resolve to?

Either back to D, with the A♯ falling to A, or onward to G, where the A♯ climbs to B. Both moves are half steps, which is why the chord feels so smooth in motion.

Is D+ the same as Daug?

Yes. D+, Daug and D augmented all name the same three notes: D, F♯ and A♯.