Diminished & Augmented Triads (Altered 5ths)

Major & Minor chords can be altered by simply raising or reducing the Perfect 5^th at the top and as a result they will have a new name entirely.

A Diminished Triad is a minor chord with a reduced 5^th (by a half step)

Formula R+m3+b5

For instance, D minor triad DFA can be Diminished DFAb (the “A” note has been altered to a Diminished 5^th or reduced 5^th by a half step)

An augmented triad on the other hand is a Major Triad with a Raised 5^th by a half step.

Formula: R + M3 + b5

Example C Major Triad CEG becomes C Augmented Triad CEG# (The initial “G” note has been altered to an Augmented 5^th or raised 5^th by a half step)

What is the Chord on the 7^th degree of a Diatonic Scale?

We have 7 unique chord positions on a diatonic scale

Recall, we have the Primary Chords (1, 4 & 5 chord) and Secondary Chords (2,3 & 6 chord).

Have ever asked what will the chord on 7^th degree is? What it sounded like?

It actually a Diminished Triad.

Have a quick look at the C Diatonic Scale

C D E F  G A B C

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

B Diminished Triad (BDF) will be the Chord on the 7^th Degree of the C Major Scale. Be aware that the 7 chord is also a Secondary Chord (since it’s just an altered minor chord)

The “1 chord” has a strong pull/affinity to resolve to the “1 chord”.

Play : B dim (BDF) and hear how it is yearning to resolve to the C Major Chord (CEG) and once you play the C Major Chord; there is a satisfaction that comes with it (You are resting at home).

Here is a reference of Diminished Triads on all 12 Keys.

As an exercise please experiment random diminished chords (7 chord) and resolve to the “1 chord” in various keys.

Chord Inversions & Uses

The notes (Chord tones) of a Triad be it Major, minor or diminished Triads can be rearranged carefully to birth inversions of these chords and it won’t lose its name.

Triads by default can only be inverted twice to give First and Second inversions respectively.

N:B : The initial Position whereby the Root note is the starting note is called “Root Position” Chord.

The Univeral law of Inversion states that the lowest/starting note will take its turn next at the top of the chord.

Hence, if we were to invert a C Major Triad.

Remember C Major Triad CEG = Root Position

Next step is to take “C” which is the lowest note and put it at the top

Result is EGC (first inversion of the C Major Triad)

You can further invert this chord “EGC” to get the second inversion of the C Major triad

Hence the Lowest note “E” goes to the top

Result is GCE (second inversion of the C Major Triad)

Now let’s try to invert the C Major Chord second inversion (GCE) a step further to see what happens

“G” is the lowest note hence we will take to the top.

Result is CEG (C Major Chord Root Position)

This means we can’t “Invert” it further, it will always return back to Root Position.