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/

The Church Pianist: Using Chord Substitutions for..... More About Jesus

New website: http://thechurchpianist.com/

I enjoy using chord substitutions for a hymn

that would normally sound rather plain.

The hymn, More About Jesus, has a rather

mundane bass line. The whole song mainly

consists of the one (I) and five (V) chord.

This particular hymn is written in A flat.

Therefore, the one chord is A flat and the

V chord is E flat (E flat is the fifth note

of the A flat scale).

I will show you the vocal score against the

piano score so you can see what I changed.

Please remember, the piano score will only

work as a piano solo because the chord substitu-

tions would clash with the vocal parts.

Editor's notes for Part One of More About Jesus

Measure One:

I used a IV chord in the left hand on the

syllable..."Je" of the word "Jesus".

A IV chord can be inserted when the I chord

lasts 3 beats or more beats.

The right hand is playing a suspended chord

which I will explain in another lesson.

Measure two:

Left hand plays a stepping down pattern leading

into the vi 7 chord on the word "know".

Alot is happening in this measure to the next

measure.

So....when a I chord lasts for 3 or more beats and

is moving into a V chord....you can substitute the

I chord with the vi chord and....

Measure three:

.....then substitute the V chord with the ii 7 (as long

as the V chord lasts long enough to resolve back to

the V chord...basically three or more beats.

The original chord progression for the vocal score is...

Measure one: I chord

Measure two: I chord

Measure three: V chord

Measure four: I chord

The new chord progression in the piano score is...

Measure one: I to a IV

Measure two: I to a vi 7

Measure three: ii 7 to a V 7

Measure four: I chord

I'm in somewhat of a rush but hope I've made myself

clear.

We leave in the morning for Pigeon Forge and i'm

looking forward to dreaming up more articles on the

trip!