How to Visually Learn and Play Diminished and Augmented Triads on the Piano

A Major triad consists of the root, third and fifth intervals. Here’s C Major as an example:

If you simply move the middle note down a half step, you’ve now created a minor triad. The Major third interval has now been changed to a minor third interval.

It works this way with any Major triad

Even with an inverted triad, changing the interval has the same result. Inverted triads have notes that are rearranged as opposed to root position.

Augmented and diminished triads are almost identical to Major and minor chords with the exception of one altered note. Let’s start by creating the augmented triad.

As I mentioned earlier, a Major triad consists of the root, third and fifth. To create an augmented triad, simply raise the 5th up a half step.

Now to create a diminished triad:

Again, a minor triad consist of the root, minor third, and fifth. To create the diminished triad, lower the fifth down one half step.

One thing you should be familiar with is how diminished and augmented chords are notated. Since there is more than one way to notate each of these, students will often get confused. So I want to make it clear as to what possible ways these chords are notated on a lead sheet or chord chart so you will be able to visually learn and play diminished and augmented triads on the piano.

The most common way an augmented chord will be notated is to have the abbreviation: aug after the chord symbol.

Another familiar notation of diminished chords are a small plus sign to the right of the chord symbol.

The most common way a diminished chord will be notated is to have the abbreviation: dim after the chord symbol.

Another familiar notation of diminished chords are a small degree sign to the right of the chord symbol

Now that we’ve defined diminished and augmented triads and their chord symbols, let’s create  a somewhat musical progression to help you visually learn and play diminished and augmented triads on the piano.

The following chord progression is in the key of C Major and we’ll be using the primary chords of that key.

The primary chords of C Major

We’re going use  a combination of Major, minor, diminished and augmented triads. You’re going to play some of these chords in inversions. So make sure you’re familiar with and have an understanding as well as the proficiency to play inverted chords.

I entitled this learning tool “A Tense Harmony”.

You can play this chord progression in any other Major key of music.  As you can see, there are a lot of dissonant chords known as diminished and augmented triads in this chord progression.  Even though it’s simple, don’t underestimate its learning power. You’re actually playing these chords in the context of music. That’s what keeps it interesting. Therefore, that’s what will keep you engaged and gives you the tools to visually learn and play diminished and augmented triads on the piano

Until next time, Go Play.
Greg