Augmented chords are a fascinating and essential tool for musicians looking to add tension, color, and sophistication to their harmonic vocabulary. Whether you’re a beginner wanting to understand the basics or an experienced player seeking to deepen your knowledge, this guide covers the most important augmented chords, how to use them effectively, and how to choose the right one for your musical context. We’ll explore ten key augmented chords, what makes each unique, and practical tips for incorporating them into your playing.
1. The Augmented Triad (Major + Sharp Fifth)
The augmented triad is built by stacking two major thirds, resulting in a three-note chord: root, major third, and sharp fifth (also called augmented fifth). For example, a C augmented (C+) consists of C, E, and G#. This chord has a tense, unresolved sound that’s often used in jazz and classical music to create a sense of anticipation or suspense. Its symmetrical structure makes it versatile for modulations and voice-leading, especially when moving smoothly between related chords.
2. The Augmented Seventh Chord (7+)
The augmented seventh chord combines an augmented triad with a minor seventh interval. For instance, C7+ includes C, E, G#, and B♭. This chord introduces a strong, dramatic flavor, often used in jazz, blues, and film scoring to evoke tension or a sense of climax. Its unique sound comes from the augmented fifth and minor seventh working together, which creates a distinctive half-diminished feel with a twist.
3. The Augmented Major Seventh Chord (Δ7+)
The augmented major seventh, such as CΔ7+ (C, E, G#, B), combines the augmented triad with a major seventh. It produces an ethereal, lush sound often associated with jazz ballads and cinematic soundtracks. This chord is useful for adding a mysterious or dreamlike quality, especially when resolving into more stable chords like major or minor triads.
4. The Diminished Augmented Chord (Dim+)
The diminished augmented chord is a symmetrical four-note chord built by stacking minor thirds, such as C, E♭, G♭, and A. It’s often used as a passing chord or to add tension before resolving to a more stable harmony. Its ambiguous sound makes it popular in jazz improvisation and classical compositions for creating suspense or transition.
5. The Augmented Sixth Chord (Italian, French, and German Variants)
Augmented sixth chords are a family of chords used primarily in classical music to prepare a dominant resolution. The Italian (It+), French (Fr+), and German (Ger+) variants differ in their added tones but all include an augmented sixth interval, typically resolving outward to the dominant. These chords add color and tension, making them essential for voice-leading and modulation in Romantic and Baroque styles.
6. The Symmetrical Augmented Chord (Augmented Hexachord)
This six-note chord is constructed by stacking augmented triads, creating a symmetrical, repeating pattern of intervals. It’s often used in jazz and modern classical music for its intriguing, otherworldly sound. Its symmetry allows for smooth modulations and can serve as a basis for complex improvisation or harmonic exploration.
7. The Augmented Ninth Chord (9+)
The augmented ninth adds a sharp ninth to the dominant seventh chord, such as C7+9 (C, E, G#, B♭, D#). This chord is popular in jazz and fusion music for its rich, colorful sound and ability to create tension that resolves beautifully to tonic or subdominant chords. It’s especially effective in improvisation and soloing to add expressive flair.
8. The Altered Dominant Augmented Chord
This chord involves alterations like sharp or flat ninths, fifths, or thirds, often used in jazz to create dissonance and tension before resolving to a tonic. For example, C7♯9 or C7♭5. These chords are vital in jazz improvisation, providing a palette of colorful tensions that heighten the emotional impact of a progression.
9. The Augmented Suspended Chord (Sus+)
While less common, augmented suspended chords replace the third with a sharp fifth, such as C sus+ (C, G#, F). They create a suspended, unresolved sound that’s useful for building anticipation or adding brightness in progressions. They’re often used in modern pop and jazz to add a fresh, modern flavor to familiar harmonic structures.
10. The Augmented Power Chord (Root + G#)
In rock and metal, the augmented power chord is a simple two-note chord consisting of the root and augmented fifth (e.g., C and G#). It’s played on distorted guitars for a powerful, edgy sound that emphasizes tension and dissonance. Despite its simplicity, it’s a staple for creating dramatic riffs and emphasizing moments of musical intensity.
How to Choose
When selecting an augmented chord, consider the harmonic context and the emotional effect you want to achieve. Think about whether you need tension, color, or a smooth voice-leading transition. The specific chord type (triad, seventh, altered) should align with your song’s mood and progression. Also, pay attention to the voice-leading; augmented chords often resolve naturally to dominant or tonic chords, so plan your transitions accordingly.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the main difference between an augmented and a diminished chord? Augmented chords contain a raised fifth, creating a tense, bright sound, while diminished chords are built from minor thirds, producing a darker, more unstable sound.
- Are augmented chords used in all genres of music? Yes, augmented chords appear in jazz, classical, pop, rock, and experimental music, each genre using them for different expressive purposes.
- How do I resolve an augmented chord in a progression? Typically, augmented chords resolve outward by semitone to the next chord, often moving to a dominant or tonic chord to create a satisfying resolution.
- Can augmented chords be used as passing chords? Absolutely. Their tense sound makes them perfect for passing or connecting two more stable chords, adding interest and color.
- Is it difficult to incorporate augmented chords into my playing? Not at all. Start by experimenting with simple augmented triads and gradually explore more complex variants to see how they fit into your style.
Final Thoughts
Augmented chords are powerful tools that can add tension, color, and sophistication to your music. Their unique intervals and versatile uses make them essential for composers, arrangers, and performers alike. By understanding their structures and functions, you can unlock new harmonic possibilities and elevate your musical expression. Experiment with these chords in different contexts, listen to how professional musicians incorporate them, and gradually incorporate their distinctive sound into your own playing.
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