07/02/2025
Augmented Chords
What are Augmented Chords?
Augumented chords are the next step after learning major, minor, and diminished chords. They are not something that beginners typically learn right off the bat. Make sure you learn your major and minor chords before venturing into diminished and augmented.
An augmented chord is a major triad with the 5th note raised up a half step. This creates a chord with two major third intervals stacked on top of each other. The first and last note form what’s called an augmented 5th.
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How to Form an Augmented Chord on the Piano?
1. First, I want you to find a major chord on the piano. It can be any major chord, but let’s take D as an example.
2. Now, we simply need to raise one note. Take that FIFTH note (the A) and raise it up a half step to A #.
3. A D augmented chord has the notes D, F #, and A #. After we raise that fifth note, we have the augmented chord!
Augmented Piano Chords Chart
Here are the spellings of ALL the possible augmented chords:
C augmented – C E G #
C # augmented – C # E # G # # (G # # = A)
D augmented – D F # A #
Eb augmented – Eb G B
E augmented – E G # B # (B # = C)
F augmented – F A C #
F # augmented – F # A # C # # (C # # = D)
G augmented – G B D #
Ab augmented – Ab C E
A augmented – A C # E # (E #= F)
Bb augmented – Bb D F #
B augmented – B D # F # # (F # # = G)
Augmented Inversions
Augmented chords don’t stay at just the root position. You can invert them as well! Just take the bottom note and switch it to the top to form first inversion. Repeat for second inversion. Then, when you switch the bottom note to the top the last time, you’ll end up at root position again, just higher up!
How To Use Augmented Chords On Piano
Augmented chords have a unique sound. They are not something you want to use all the time. However, used correctly they can add great interest and dimension to a song. Augmented chords make great passing chords and transition chords. They are often inserted as you pass from one major chord to the next.
Augmented Chord Transition
One of the best ways to use an augmented chord is as a transition chord—when you have two chords that you want to go between, but you need something unique to lead them into each other.
One great way to do this is by using a pedal point with the root of the chord, and then switching the chords on top.
Augmented 7th Chords on Piano
If you do want to form an augmented 7th, you will simply take a dominant 7th and raise the 5th. Going back to our D example, the notes would be D, F #, A #, C.
This chord can also be called a “major seventh sharp five chord.” It has a mysterious, unique sound and is most often seen in jazz pieces.
Can You Have A Minor Augmented Chord?
No. The very definition of an augmented chord tells us the answer is no. An augmented chord is formed by stacking two major thirds on top of each other. If you make these thirds minor, the chord transforms into a diminished chord, which is different altogether!
