The Church Pianist: What’s an Augmented Chord?
The word “augment” means to make larger. That is exactly what happens
when a chord is augmented…it is made a half step greater.
The augmented chord adds a touch of “suspense or anticipation” to
a song.
An augmented chord is just like a major chord (in root position)
with a raised fifth.
For example:
The C major chord in root position = C E G
The C augmented chord = C E G#
Any major chord can be augmented within a song as long
as it sounds right.
Alot of hymns use the augmented chord. Here are two
brief examples.
Click here: Part_One_The_Augmented_Chord
Did you find the augmented chords in the above example?
If not, here are the answers: (There was only one in each example).
Moment by Moment: on the word “by”
Thank You Lord: on the word “for”
In part two, I will share how to use the augmented chord
as a chord substitution in hymns.
Tags: chord substitution, Chords