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Augmented Chords

Augmented chords create a dreamy, floating sound with an unresolved quality. They are built using the 1st, 3rd, and sharp 5th degrees of the major scale.

Structure​

An augmented chord consists of:

  • Root - The fundamental note that gives the chord its name
  • Major Third - 4 semitones above the root
  • Augmented Fifth - 8 semitones above the root

Examples:​

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  • C aug: C - E - G#
  • D aug: D - F# - A#
  • E aug: E - G# - C (B#)
  • F aug: F - A - C#

As a Transition​

Augmented chords are often used to connect two Diatonic chords via chromatic voice leading. Here it is used to transition from C major to A minor. The A minor here is inverted as C - E - A to make the transition smoother.

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Sound Characteristics​

  • Mood: Dreamy, floating, unresolved
  • Symbol: C+, Caug, or C#5

Augmented chords have a unique symmetrical structure where each note is separated by a major third. This creates an ambiguous tonal center, making them useful for transitioning between different keys or creating otherworldly effects.