The Church Pianist: What is An Augmented Chord?

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

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.

See the music image below. (Then read the following).

Did you find the augmented chords in the examples?

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.


Part Two can be found at:
http://thechurchpianist.com/chords/the-church-pianist-part-two-augmented-chord-substitution/