Guitar Chord Theory Part 3 - Diminished and Augmented Triads

In part 2 of guitar chord theory we discussed how to construct major and minor triads.

Remember a triad is any chord consisting of three notes. The root, third and fifth of the major scale and the different chord qualities like major and minor are made by either flatting the third of leaving it the the same.

For a quick refresh of this visit guitar chord theory part 2.

Today's lesson will consist of learning how to construct diminished and augmented triads. First let's discuss the diminished triad since you will probably encounter it more frequently than the augmented triad.

Guitar Chord Theory - Diminished Triads.

Diminished chords are nothing more than minor chords with a flatted 5th.

Minor Chord

l-----l------l------l-------l
l-----l------l------l-------l
l-----l-m3-l------l-------l
l-----l------l------l--1----l
l-----l------l------l--5----l
l-----l--1---l------l-------l

Diminished Triad

l-----l-------l-------l--------l
l-----l-------l-------l--------l
l-----l-m3--l-------l--------l
l-----l-------l-------l---1---l
l-----l-------l--b5--l--------l
l-----l--1----l-------l--------l


So if you build this chord off of a C major scale like we have done the previous major and minor triads you will have the notes C, E-flat, G-flat as your root, third and fifth chord tones.

Guitar Chord Theory - Augmented Triads

Augmented triads are the opposite of diminished triads. Starting with a major chord you will then want to raise the fifth to get the augmented triad.

Major Triad

l-----l-----l------l-----l
l-----l-----l------l-----l
l-----l-----l--3--l------l
l-----l-----l------l--1--l
l-----l-----l------l--5--l
l-----l--1--l------l-----l


Augmented Triad

l-----l-----l------l-----l------l
l-----l-----l------l-----l------l
l-----l-----l--3--l------l------l
l-----l-----l------l--1--l------l
l-----l-----l------l-----l--#5-l
l-----l--1--l------l-----l------l

Now you know how to build diminished and augmented triads using the major scale as your guide. Their are many different ways to play these triads across the guitar neck. I recommend getting your hands on a good chord book or chart that will show you basic chords along with their inversions. This will enable you to be able to play chords in any position on the neck.

Discover thousands of guitar chords at Guitar Chord Legend