Banjo · Level 6 · Intermediate

Augmented chords on Banjo

I–I+–IV–iv in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

Raising the fifth of a major chord gives the augmented chord, a suspenseful sound that pushes towards IV. Combined with a minor iv it creates a bittersweet phrase.

Choose a key

C majorC · Caug · F · FmD♭ majorD♭ · D♭aug · G♭ · G♭mD majorD · Daug · G · GmE♭ majorE♭ · E♭aug · A♭ · A♭mE majorE · Eaug · A · AmF majorF · Faug · B♭ · B♭mF♯ majorF♯ · F♯aug · B · BmG majorG · Gaug · C · CmA♭ majorA♭ · A♭aug · D♭ · D♭mA majorA · Aaug · D · DmB♭ majorB♭ · B♭aug · E♭ · E♭mB majorB · Baug · E · Em

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

gDGBD

Caug

C augmented

Notes: C · E · G♯

×gDGBD♯

F

F major

Notes: F · A · C

×gDGBD

Fm

F minor

Notes: F · A♭ · C

×gDGBD♭
1
C
2
Caug
3
F
4
Fm

Why it works

The raised fifth becomes the third of IV; the minor iv is borrowed from the parallel minor key.

On another instrument

Augmented chords on Guitar →Augmented chords on Piano →Augmented chords on Ukulele →Augmented chords on Mandolin →Augmented chords on Violin →Augmented chords on Flute →

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