Augmented & Diminished Chords

Building Triads

Augmented triads can be found within the whole-tone scale. Diminished triads can be found within the diminished scale (as well as major and minor scales). From each scale degree, you can build these triads by alternating notes (intervals of a 3rd) within the scale.

Augmented and diminished scales are known as symmetrical scales, since they equally split the octave. Because they are symmetrical, unlike major and minor scales, the triads derived from these scales are of a uniform quality.

Triads Derived from a C Whole-Tone Scale:

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Triads Derived from a C Diminished Scale:

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Building Diminished 7th Chords

Although diminished triads can be found in both major and minor scales, fully diminished 7th chords can only be found within the diminished and harmonic minor scales. As with the triads, you can build these chords from each scale degree by alternating notes (intervals of a minor 3rd) within the scale up to the 7th degree.

7th Chords Derived from a C Diminished Scale:

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7th Chord Derived from a C Harmonic Minor Scale:

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Click Below to Watch a Video of the Examples Above:

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