If you've ever noticed that mysterious, slightly suspenseful sound in '80s sitcoms, cartoons, or movie scores, chances are you were hearing an augmented chord in action.
Augmented chords have a way of adding instant drama to music, and today we’re diving into how to use them on the guitar. A classic example is the C augmented chord, built by simply raising the fifth note of a C major triad by a half step. That small tweak gives you a totally new vibe—one that feels dreamy, tense, and cinematic all at once.
To build this, start with a standard C chord using just the A, D, and G strings. From there, move the open G string up to the first fret. Voilà—C augmented. What makes this chord special is its symmetrical structure: a major third stacked on another major third. It’s not just cool-sounding—it’s mathematically satisfying.
From there, you can build a fun progression: C to C augmented to C6 to C7, and then resolve to F or F minor. This kind of chord walk-up creates a line cliché that’s both familiar and expressive, especially in pop or ballad-style music.
You can also work augmented chords into progressions over the five chord. For instance, in the key of G, try a D augmented to build tension before resolving back to G. Or in the key of E, try an A augmented (your four chord) before climbing into F# minor and landing on B7, finally resolving home.
So if you're looking to spice up your chord progressions or get that vintage TV theme feel, try working augmented chords into your playing.
