Learn Piano #8: Use Augmented Chord Sub & Whole Tone Scales

Learn to reharmonize dominant 7 Chords with Augmented Chord substitutions to create ethereal sounds & effects

Learn Piano Level 8 - Learn to use Augmented Chords Substitution into Away In A Manger & Whole Tone Scales

Sometimes when we listen to musicians playing a musical arrangement, we here a metallic sound that makes the piece of music mesmerizing. They are sounds that we hear when we play the whole tone scales.

Whole Tone Scales have tones that are one whole step apart. They sound ethereal.

Here's the Secret: Whenever there are Augmented Chords put in the music arrangement, we can readily play part of the whole tone scale into the chord. Or sometimes just sharpening the 5th tone of the chord in place of the dominant 7 chord, we the raised 5th tone gives the piece of music an ethereal sound. Augmented Chord with the sharp 5 tone is actually an altered dominant chord substitution.

[hide="readmore"]Learn how to put in Augmented Chords into your music arrangement!

Key of C: C+, G+, A+, D+

Here are some of the topics we will cover in this course:

A. Music Theory - Augmented Chord Formula

Chord Formula: 1 3 +5
Augmented Chord Distinctive Feature - Sharping of the 5th Tone

B. Twelve Augmented Chords in Music

C+5
D+5
E+5
F+5
G+5
A+5
B+5
Db+5
Eb+5
Gb+5
Ab+5
Bb+5

C. Circle of 5ths - How Do Augmented Chords Resolve?

Follow the Circle of 5th Movement
It resolves to the Chord that is a Perfect 5th Below
It moves anti-clockwise

D. Augmented Chord Substitution Rule

You can always substitute an augmented chord in place of any dominant or secondary dominant chords:

Key of C:

For C7 Substitute C+
For D7 Substitute D+
For A7 Substitute A+
For G7 Substitute G+

E. Secret Tip: Must avoid doing augmented chord substitution when melody tone clashes with +5