Augmented chords add a distinctive, tense sound to music, often used for dramatic effect or to create unique harmonic color. This list explores some of the most iconic songs that incorporate augmented chords, making it a great resource for musicians, music students, or anyone interested in understanding the harmonic richness of popular music. Whether you’re analyzing a song or composing your own, these examples showcase how augmented chords can elevate musical storytelling.
1. The Beatles – “I Want to Hold Your Hand”
In the chorus of “I Want to Hold Your Hand,” The Beatles employ an augmented chord on the word “hand,” using a C augmentation (C–E–G#) to add a surprising lift that emphasizes emotional longing. This subtle use of augmentation contributes to the song’s infectious energy and harmonic interest, setting it apart from typical pop progressions of the era. It demonstrates how even a brief augmented chord can significantly impact the song’s mood.
2. Beethoven – “Symphony No. 5” (First Movement)
While classical music is rich with augmented chords, Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5” features a prominent augmented sixth chord near the end of the first movement, creating a powerful tension that resolves dramatically. Beethoven’s masterful use of augmented chords illustrates their capacity to build suspense and emotional release, influencing countless composers and musicians since.
3. Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”
Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” is famous for its complex harmonic palette, including the use of augmented chords. The song’s operatic section features an augmented chord that heightens the sense of theatrical drama, blending seamlessly into the rock and ballad sections. This innovative use of augmentation helps to create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere that’s instantly recognizable.
4. Jimi Hendrix – “Purple Haze”
In “Purple Haze,” Hendrix employs an augmented chord in the iconic intro, specifically a B7#5 chord. This chord’s dissonant, tense sound contributes to the song’s psychedelic character, making it both unsettling and captivating. Hendrix’s skillful use of augmented chords exemplifies how guitarists can evoke mood and texture through harmonic choices.
5. Wagner – “Ride of the Valkyries”
Wagner’s “Ride of the Valkyries” features augmented chords that add grandeur and intensity to the orchestral texture. The augmented sixths and other augmented harmonies underpin the majestic and heroic feel, showcasing how augmentation can amplify emotional impact in orchestral music. This piece remains a textbook example of augmentation’s dramatic power.
6. The Rolling Stones – “Gimme Shelter”
In “Gimme Shelter,” the use of an augmented chord on the lyric “War, children” creates a sense of unease and tension, fitting the song’s themes of chaos and despair. This harmonic choice subtly underscores the song’s darker mood and helps to build emotional intensity without overwhelming the listener. It’s a testament to how augmentation can serve lyrical and thematic content effectively.
7. Debussy – “Clair de Lune”
Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” employs augmented chords to produce shimmering, unresolved sounds that contribute to its dreamlike quality. These chords often appear as passing or embellishing harmonies, enriching the piece’s impressionistic style. Their delicate use exemplifies how augmentation can add subtle color without disrupting the overall harmony.
8. The Beach Boys – “God Only Knows”
In “God Only Knows,” the Beach Boys incorporate augmented chords to infuse a sense of emotional vulnerability and complexity. The chords are used sparingly but effectively, providing harmonic interest that supports the song’s intricate vocal arrangements. This demonstrates how augmentation can enhance the expressive depth of a pop ballad.
9. Chopin – “Nocturne in C-sharp minor”
Chopin’s nocturnes often feature augmented chords, including in the “Nocturne in C-sharp minor,” where they serve as expressive passing tones or to heighten emotional tension. These chords contribute to the piece’s lyrical, introspective mood, illustrating how augmentation can be a tool for nuanced expressivity in solo piano music.
10. Pink Floyd – “Comfortably Numb”
In “Comfortably Numb,” the guitar solo makes use of augmented chords to create a haunting, ethereal atmosphere. The use of augmented fifths and sixths enhances the song’s introspective and surreal quality, making it one of the most memorable uses of augmentation in rock music. Floyd’s innovative harmonic language demonstrates augmentation’s role in evoking mood and atmosphere.
How to Choose
When selecting augmented chords for your music, consider their emotional impact and how they fit within the overall harmonic context. Augmented chords are often used for tension, surprise, or to lead smoothly into a resolution. Pay attention to the song’s mood—if you want to evoke unease or drama, augmentation can be very effective. Also, listen for how other composers and artists have used augmentation in similar styles to inspire your own choices. Ultimately, the key is to use augmented chords intentionally to serve your musical narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is an augmented chord? An augmented chord consists of a root, a major third, and an augmented fifth (or raised fifth), creating a tense, dissonant sound.
- How does augmentation differ from other dissonant chords? Augmentation specifically involves a raised fifth, whereas other dissonant chords may involve different intervals like seconds or sevenths.
- Why do composers use augmented chords? They add tension, surprise, or emotional color, often serving as passing or pivot chords in harmonic progressions.
- Are augmented chords common in pop music? They are less common than major or minor chords but are used effectively in certain songs to heighten emotional impact, as seen in examples like The Beatles or The Beach Boys.
- Can I use augmented chords in my own compositions? Absolutely. Experiment with their placement to see how they affect mood and tension within your harmonic language.
- What should I listen for when analyzing songs with augmented chords? Focus on moments of tension or surprise, especially where the harmonic shift heightens emotional intensity or leads into a resolution.
Final Thoughts
Augmented chords are a powerful tool in any musician’s harmonic palette, capable of transforming simple progressions into emotionally compelling moments. From classical symphonies to modern rock and pop, their distinctive sound continues to inspire composers and performers alike. By understanding their function and exploring their use in iconic songs, you can unlock new expressive possibilities in your own music and deepen your appreciation for harmonic innovation across genres.
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