As the name implies, this three note triad is augmented. Augmented how? Well, the perfect fifth interval between the root and the fifth of the major triad is enlarged a half step, creating an augmented fifth, which defines the sound of this three note chord. The + 5 symbol normally associated with this triad is a handy way to denote that the 5th of the triad has been augmented ( + 5 ). Thinking from the root, we stack two major third intervals above the root to create the augmented triad. Here is a handy picture of the building process to compare the the proper intervals of the major and augmented triads. Example 1.
Compare the sounds of the above triads using the root pitch C. Example 1a.
| C major | C augmented | C major | C augmented |
Thinking in the tonal center of C augmented, the tonic or C augmented triad is created by the 1st, 3rd and augmented 5th scale degrees of the C augmented scale, perhaps more commonly called the whole tone scale. This augmented triad is not a overly common grouping of pitches, but potentially very important depending on your artistic directions. Here are the pitches of the C major augmented fifth scale or just C whole tone, and numerical scale degrees. Example 1a.
| scale degrees | 1 | 2 | 3 | #4 | #5 | b7 | 8 |
| C augmented scale | C | D | E | F# | G# | Bb | C |
Here is a piano illustration of C, E, and G#, ( 1, 3, +5 ). At the piano, a root position C augmented triad would be struck thus. Example 1b.
Cool with this? Can we create a augmented triad on each of the pitches of the chromatic scale? Of course we can. Well, lets do it then. Here is a chart spelling out the augmented triad from each of the 12 pitches of the chromatic scale, organized by the cycle of fourths. Example 2.
triad |
root | major third | augmented fifth |
| C | C | E | G# |
| F | F | A | C# |
| Bb | Bb | D | F# |
| Eb | Eb | G | B |
| Ab | Ab | C | E |
| Db | Db | F | A |
| Gb | Gb | Bb | D |
| B | B | D# | F## ( G ) |
| E | E | G# | B# ( C ) |
| A | A | C# | E# ( F ) |
| D | D | F# | A# ( Bb ) |
| G | G | B | D# |
Here is the sound of the above chart of the 12 augmented triads created within the equal tempered system. Example 2a.
| C | F | Bb | Eb |
| Ab | Db | Gb | B |
| E | A | D | G |
Got these under your tongue or fingers? Understanding the theory and executing the augmented triad is potentially of great importance to the emerging player of American music, especially the jazz artist. In all 12 keys, yes in all 12 keys. How well do you know your musical intervals? Where and how would we use this unique color? Chord progressions? Improvisation? What scales relate to this unique chordal color?
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"Not everything that can be counted counts, and not everything that counts can be counted."
Albert Einstein
