# Diminished and augmented triads

*Module 7 · Lesson 3: Triads and arpeggios · BazzLow*

> Build and recognise diminished and augmented triads.

Before this lesson: [7.2 Building triads in thirds](https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/building-triads/) · [4.4 Augmented, diminished and the tritone](https://bazzlow.com/en/intervals/augmented-diminished-tritone/)

Stacking two minor 3rds or two major 3rds gives the two remaining triads. Both sound tense.

## Diminished

The **diminished triad** is two minor 3rds: **1 ♭3 ♭5**. C° = C E♭ G♭. It sounds tense and unstable, because the root and the ♭5 form a tritone. In a major key it appears naturally on the 7th degree (B° in C major).

## Augmented

The **augmented triad** is two major 3rds: **1 3 ♯5**. C+ = C E G♯. It sounds tense, “suspended in the air”. It does not occur in the major or natural minor scale; it is usually a passing chord.

> **Diagram:** C°: C E♭ G♭.

> **Diagram:** C+: C E G♯.

The augmented triad is **symmetrical**: C+, E+ and G♯+ (= A♭+) contain the same three pitches, just named differently. This makes it useful for moving between keys.

## All four types

*The four triad types from C.*

| Triad | Intervals | Degrees | Notes from C |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Major | M3 + m3 | 1 3 5 | C E G |
| Minor | m3 + M3 | 1 ♭3 5 | C E♭ G |
| Diminished | m3 + m3 | 1 ♭3 ♭5 | C E♭ G♭ |
| Augmented | M3 + M3 | 1 3 ♯5 | C E G♯ |

Spelling matters here too: A+ is A C♯ E♯, not F; B♭+ is B♭ D F♯, not G♭.

## Try it

Play C, Cm, C° and C+ arpeggios one after the other from the same root. Only the 3rd and 5th move: say which way each time.

## New terms

- diminished triad
- augmented triad
- symmetrical chord

Page: https://bazzlow.com/en/triads-and-arpeggios/diminished-and-augmented-triads/