Originally Posted By: J Taylor
Am I the only one who has run into this? Keys playing an augmented chord against a regular triad in other instruments just sounds awful!


So I thought about this. Fact is I don't recall ever writting a chord progression with an Augmented chord. So I did some homework. First thing I learned was Augmented chords don't sit in the regular Minor or Major scales. Instead, they live in the Harmonic or Melodic Minor scales. Guess what? I have never written in these scales either.

Next I listed to a number of songs which include an augmented chord. Google listed a ton of very well known songs. Very popular with Beatles tunes. This confirmed for me the sound and the fact that I actually like this sound.

Then I searched how to compose with augmented chords. The augmented chord is an odd and errie sound used to suspend resolution. And is often used to substitue for the major V chord in a progression. I tried a couple examples and liked it a lot. You don't want to stay in that sound for long since it is unexpected and really wants to resolve back into Key to the IV or the vi or of course the I.

So back to the question. I found the piano RT in BIAB to handle this chord well. But regarding how the bass, guitar or other instruments play over this chord I have not yet had any experience. So I wouldn't even know what to expect. But I plan to find out shortly.


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