Banjo · Level 6 · Intermediate
Augmented chords in C major on Banjo
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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.
C
Notes: C · E · G
Caug
Notes: C · E · G♯
F
Notes: F · A · C
Fm
Notes: F · A♭ · C
HOW TO PRACTISE IT
Six steps to a clean loop.
- Play each chord on its own: C, Caug, F and Fm. Press play on the chord card, then match the sound.
- The short fifth string (g) is only played open; let it ring when it fits the chord.
- Set the tempo to 63 BPM and play the progression with one chord per bar. Move only the fifth up a half step to make the augmented chord.
- Pinch the bass and top strings on beat one, then roll thumb–index–middle through the other strings.
- Raise the tempo to 84 BPM once you can play the loop three times without stopping.
- Record one take, listen back and check for a single rising inner line from the fifth to the sixth.
Listen for
Aim for a single rising inner line from the fifth to the sixth. A common mistake is re-fretting the whole chord instead of moving one note.
Why it works
The raised fifth becomes the third of IV; the minor iv is borrowed from the parallel minor key.
C major has no sharps or flats; its relative minor key is A minor.
Questions
What are the chords in I–I+–IV–iv in C major?
In C major the progression is C | Caug | F | Fm.
What is the key signature of C major?
C major has no sharps or flats. Its relative minor is A minor.
Is this lesson right for my level?
This is a level 6 lesson (intermediate). If it feels too hard, start with “Diminished passing chords”.
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