Augmented Triads + Major Triad Quiz

Understanding Triads: Minor and Augmented

Right. In this first section of the course, we've looked at a whole bunch of major triads, and we're going to move on to minor triads now for the next part of the course.

Introduction to Augmented Triads

Before we do that, we should perhaps talk about another kind of triad derived from the major triad by raising the fifth. This is called an augmented triad.

• Instead of C, if you play a G sharp on top, you get this lovely sound, full of tension.
• The interesting thing about the augmented triad, which is sometimes written just with a plus sign, is that it's made up of two major thirds on top of each other:
  • C to E: two tones
  • E to G sharp: four semitones or two tones

This creates a kind of symmetry.

Inversions of Augmented Triads

Because of their symmetrical nature, augmented triads don't change shape when you invert them, unlike major and minor triads.

• Let's look at, for instance, A Augmented:
  • If we invert that, we get C sharp augmented.
  • If we invert that again, we get F augmented.

So, those three triads, A augmented, C sharp augmented, and F augmented, have the same notes. They're basically the same chord.

Quiz Time!

Before we leave this chapter, I'm going to give you a quiz. I'm going to play eight triads, and I'd like you to try to figure out:

1. What the name of the triad is (the root)
2. Which inversion it is in (root, first, or second)

Here's the first one.

• Here's the second one.
• It'd be quite good if you sang them as well.

Let's hear the notes:

• Number three
• Number four
• Number five
• Number six
• Number seven
• And the last one.

Clue: They're all major. You should recognize them all. If you don't, just try to work out what the root is.

The answers are on the PDF.