What is an augmented triad?

What is an augmented triad?

• A. A chord with two minor thirds
• B. A chord with two major thirds
• C. A chord with a minor third on bottom and a major third on top
• D. The lowest note in the triad

Answer: (B)

An augmented triad is formed by stacking two major thirds. Start from the root, move up a major third to the middle note, then up another major third to the top note. This places the top note as an augmented fifth above the root, giving a structure of root–major third–augmented fifth (for example, C–E–G#). That’s why describing it as a chord with two major thirds is the best fit. If you stacked two minor thirds you’d get a diminished triad (like C–Eb–Gb), and if you stacked a minor third then a major third you’d get a minor triad (C–Eb–G). The lowest note is just the root, not what defines the chord type.

An augmented triad is formed by stacking two major thirds. Start from the root, move up a major third to the middle note, then up another major third to the top note. This places the top note as an augmented fifth above the root, giving a structure of root–major third–augmented fifth (for example, C–E–G#). That’s why describing it as a chord with two major thirds is the best fit. If you stacked two minor thirds you’d get a diminished triad (like C–Eb–Gb), and if you stacked a minor third then a major third you’d get a minor triad (C–Eb–G). The lowest note is just the root, not what defines the chord type.