Lesson 18 - Augmented and Diminshed Chords

By this time in your playing you are probably a master of the major and minor chords. You probably use allot of 2nd, 4th, and 7thth or 6th chord when you are feeling a little funky. But what we want to focus on today are those mysterious augmented and diminished chords we have all heard about but rarely employed. Although not found that often in popular music today (used mainly in jazz) these chords can be a way to add some spice to your music chords and throw in the occasional 9.

Let’s start with the augmented chords. An augmented chord is the same as a major with a sharp 5th. If we were to build the chord like we did with our major and minor we would 4 half steps between our first and third and four half steps between our third and fifth. In a Caug you would have C, E, G#. This is a great passing chord that can be used to lead you into the fourth chord or the sixth chord. Try this progression from a popular worship song. You can really feel the aug pull you into the minor chord. To play a Gaug just raise your fifth one half step. (D to D# on the D string).

G  Gaug Em C G

Even more uncommonly found in guitar music is the diminished chord. A diminished chord is another great passing chord and if used correctly can give more interesting voicings to your music and build great suspense. A diminished chord is a 1st, flat 3rd , and a flat 5th. A Cdim is made up of a C, Eb, and Gb.  Building the chord we would find 3 half steps between our first and third and 3 between our third and fifth. Try this common jazz progression including the Gaug we just learned. I will show two different ways to play the diminished chord. The first is the C#dim derived from a C major chord. Simply raise the C a C# on the A string and do the same on the B string. The second way you will see it is played is a movable for other diminished chords. Now try it.

C C#dim Dm Gaug C

Now that you know the basics of these underrated chords, try throwing them when you can. Whether you play jazz, pop, country, or are just a singer songwriter you can add a little spice to your music with these augmented and diminished chords.

Want more guitar lessons? Click here for the simplest, fastest way to learn guitar...