Augmented chords are a rare beast in music. A common way to understand augmented chords is to think of a major triad and then raise the 5th. These types of guitar chords are special because they involve stacking two major 3rds, giving them what is called “musical symmetry” These chords are rarely seen because they are non diatonic chords, meaning they do not occur naturally in a key.
So what are augmented chords even used for? These chords are often used for their dissonance and tension that they create in a piece, leaving the listener on the edge of their seats waiting for resolution.
In this article we will show you how to play augmented chords, how to listen for them in music, and how to use them to embellish your musical pieces. Let’s get started!
Related: Open Guitar Chords Made Simple
Understanding Augmented Chords
As I said before, many build augmented chords by taking a major triad and raising the 5th a half step. This creates a triad with two major 3rds as building blocks. If we take C major, CEG and make it augmented it becomes CEG#.
C -> E = M3
E -> G# = M3
M3 + M3 = Augmented Triad (+5)
When we read musical notation, an augmented chord might be written in different ways, for example, a C augmented triad might be written as C aug or C+.
Augmented chords don’t sound pretty. They are a relatively unstable chord especially when compared to major or minor chords. Their raised 5th makes them sound dissonant and eager for resolution.
How To Play Augmented Chords
The best way to learn to play an augmented chord is to imagine a major chord shape in your head, then to move the 5th scale degree up one half step. Voila! You have an augmented chord!
Try to use these augmented chord shapes along with their major counterparts to train yourself to hear and understand augmented chords.
C Augmented
- Place your middle finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
- Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 5th string.
D Augmented
- Place your Index finger on the 2nd fret of the 1st string.
- Place your Middle finger on the 3rd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your Ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 2nd string.
E Augmented
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 1st fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 4th string.
G Augmented
- Place youre ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 6th string.
- Place youre index finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
- Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
A Augmented
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 1st string.
- Place your ring finger on the 2nd fret of the 2nd string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd string.
- Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 4th string.
B Augmented
- Place your index finger on the 1st fret of the 4th string.
- Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 5th string.
- Place your pinky on the 3rd fret of the 1st string.
Something that makes augmented chords special is their musical symmetry. Because these chords are two major 3rds stacked, they pose some issues with inversions.
For example, when we invert a C augmented to 1st inversion, we get the notes E G# C, however, this chord is enharmonically equivalent to an E augmented chord, whose notes are E G# B#.
This means that different chord sheets might use either chord interchangeably. Whether you prefer to write C+/E or simply E+ would be your personal choice. Just know that this topic is debated in the music world.
Application of Augmented Chords
Augmented chords were first seen in classical music, however they are still used commonly today in more modern genres such as rock, blues, jazz (See Jazz Chords), and pop.
Let’s explore some common progressions and songs that utilize the augmented chord.
V+ I
Augmented V to I progression is one of the most common usages of the augmented chord. This movement works so well because of its good voice leading.
Additionally, an V+ is often used as a substitute for the dominant 7 chord. While the V7 is considered unstable on its own, some artists exemplify this trait by exchanging it for an augmented chord.
I+ IV
Augmented I to IV also works great, because the #5 moves up on half step to the 3rd degree of the IV chord.
I I+ I
Due to its lack of movement, this progression gives a nice stable sonority that works well in song introductions. This progression is used to pivot back and forth between the I and I+.
Line Cliche
A line cliche is a stepwise melody that moves through a chord. Basically the 5th of the tonic chord moves up or down in stepwise motion while the rest of the tones remain static.
The 5th of the I chord first moves up to an augmented 5th, then it becomes a 6th, then it goes up more to become a b7.
These progressions are so common they are considered a cliche! Have a listen for yourself.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a chord augmented?
A chord becomes augmented when it has a major 3rd and a major 3rd. A major triad is built from stacking a Major 3rd and a minor 3rd. In order to make this chord augmented we would need to raise the 5th of this chord to make the minor 3rd major.
How do you use augmented chords?
There are many uses for an augmented chord. They can be used as simple embellishments to spice up chord changes, they can be used in chord movements of a 4th, or they can be used in line cliches.
How do you know if a chord is augmented or diminished?
Starting from the same root note, a diminished chord would be two minor 3rds stacked, and an augmented chord would be two major thirds stacked.
In college, my professor once described a diminished chord as a minor-minor chord and an augmented chord as a major-major chord. I know it sounds silly, but it sort of gets the point across.
Are augmented chords always major?
Augmented chords always have a major 3rd within them. I would be careful with using that terminology, because technically no, augmented chords are not major chords; they are augmented.
Do augmented chords have inversions?
Yes and no. When we invert augmented chords we typically get a brand new augmented chord. Whether or not this is considered an inversion or a new chord entirely is up to the interpretation of the listener/analyzer.
What scale are augmented chords in?
So, augmented chords are non-diatonic chords, meaning they do not fall naturally within any key.
However, when we build a minor chord progression off of the harmonic minor scale, we end up with an III+. Whether or not we choose to use this chord is up to the songwriter. Complicated, yet interesting!
Conclusion
An augmented chord is a major triad with an augmented 5th. This chord sounds very unstable and carries a lot of tension. The main purpose of this chord is to resolve the dissonance created by the augmented 5th. However they also occur in line cliches and as substitutions for the V7 chord.
Along with the V chord, the I chord is another common chord you see augmented. In a minor key, you may see an III+ that occurs naturally in the harmonic minor scale.
Augmented chords are considered musically symmetric, because they are constructed by stacking two major 3rds on top of each other. Playing augmented chords is the best way to train your ear to notice their striking sound in music.
