Learning Augmented Chords Think back to the major chord and how it was formed. The first, third, and fifth notes of the major scale make a major chord (C, E, G). If the major third is lowered one-half step the chord becomes a minor chord (C, Eb, G). If the major chord has both the third and fifth lowered one-half step (C, Eb, Gb), the chord becomes a diminished chord. If the major chord keeps the major third and raises the Perfect fifth one-half step to an augmented fifth interval, the chord becomes an augmented chord. The major chord (C, E, G) becomes (C, E, G#) an augmented chord. Here is what an augmented chord sounds like. Augmented Chords Listen to the augmented chords below. They are harsh and "weary" sounding. One could believe that everything is "uneasy and stressful". augmented chord # 1 augmented chord # 2 augmented chord # 3 augmented chord # 4 Listen to these sequences of three augmented chords. There is still almost an "I'm mad" type of sound. Sequence # 1 Sequence # 2 Sequence # 3 Copyright © 2000 D R Parman and Associates, Inc. - All Rights Reserved