An augmented chord is generally composed using a root/1st, major 3rd and an augmented 5th (or R/1-3-♯5) intervals played simultaneously, however any chord with a raised interval can be given the name "augmented" followed by the interval being raised (ie: Caug6). If there is no number following the aug then it is presumed to be an augmented triad (R/1-3-♯5). Generally written as C⁺ or Caug, it is good practice to simply use an upper case C and a super scripted plus symbol ⁺ (ie: C⁺) to represent it in writing.
The tonality of an augmented chord is dissonant, non-centered and unstable, as opposed to a major chord which is stable and resolved.
Augmented chord profile
| Intervals | root/1st, major 3rd, augmented 5th or R/1-3-♯5 |
|---|---|
| Stability | Dissonant, unstable, unresolved |
| Grouping class | Triad |
| Common names (examples in C) | C⁺, Caug, C♯5, C(♯5) |
Chord shapes/voicings
Augmented chord table
| Chord name | Root | Major third | Augmented fifth |
|---|---|---|---|
| C⁺ | C | E | G♯ |
| C♯⁺ | C♯ | E♯ (F) | G (A) |
| D♭⁺ | D♭ | F | A |
| D⁺ | D | F♯ | A♯ |
| D♯⁺ | D♯ | F (G) |
A (B) |
| E♭⁺ | E♭ | G | B |
| E⁺ | E | G♯ | B♯ (C) |
| F⁺ | F | A | C♯ |
| F♯⁺ | F♯ | A♯ | C (D) |
| G♭⁺ | G♭ | B♭ | D |
| G⁺ | G | B | D♯ |
| G♯⁺ | G♯ | B♯ (C) | D (E) |
| A♭⁺ | A♭ | C | E |
| A⁺ | A | C♯ | E♯ (F) |
| A♯⁺ | A♯ | C (D) |
E (F♯) |
| B♭⁺ | B♭ | D | F♯ |
| B⁺ | B | D♯ | F (G) |
Audio sample(s)
| C Augmented chord voicing #1 |
|---|
Leave a Reply