#5 & Augmented Triad Lines
In this lesson we focus on the sharp five tension and a variety of ways this can be applied to our playing as a passing chord, an inner voice, or improvised fills and runs.
Passing Chords
A useful trick when we have space on the 1 chord is to move to the V7 and add the #5 tension. We explore this concept over the 1st bar of the tune by moving from Fmaj7 to C7#5 and then moving on to C-7 in bar 2.
Augmented Arpeggios Lines
The augmented triad is similar to the major triad but the 5th note has been ‘sharpened’, or ‘augmented’. This triad works well as a run or fill over a left hand R-7 dominant shell. In the lesson we chromatically target the #5 and then start an augmented triad arpeggio up or down the keyboard.
This improvisation principle can be applied over 251 progressions, 3625 progressions, and over any lone dominant chord. We build and expand upon this concept in the improvisation module in this course.
Lesson Downloads
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Augmented Triad Runs & Fills File Type: pdf
Related Lessons
In this lesson we create interesting colours and tensions in our improvisations by targeting isolating the individual chord alterations.
We start with single alterations, then double alterations, then we will explore a versatile altered arpeggio run to use on dominant chords.
When we play a minor 251 progression, the 5th, the 13th and 9th will usually be altered by moving them either up or down a half step.
Practice Tips
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Start by adding the #5 as a dominant chord tension/colour in any 251 progression.
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Practice targeting the #5 with chromaticism to bring out the colour on top of the harmony.
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Transpose the #5 augmented run into all 12 keys. In the lesson we explore the line in 4 keys.
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Always keep in mind your point of resolution which is usually achieved by resolving into a chord tone with some kind of approach pattern.
