### Understanding the Augmented 7 Chord
An augmented 7 chord, often written as "augmented 7" or "7#5", is a dominant 7 chord with a raised (sharpened) fifth. This chord adds a distinctive, dissonant, and tension-filled sound, making it particularly useful in jazz, blues, and some modern classical music.
**Construction of an Augmented 7 Chord:**
1. **Root (1st):** The starting note of the chord.
2. **Major Third (3rd):** Four half steps (semitones) above the root.
3. **Augmented Fifth (#5):** Eight half steps (one more than a perfect fifth) above the root.
4. **Minor Seventh (b7):** Ten half steps above the root.
For example, in a C augmented 7 chord (C7#5), the notes are:
- C (root)
- E (major third)
- G# (augmented fifth)
- Bb (minor seventh)
### Augmented 7 Chords in All 12 Keys
Here is a list of augmented 7 chords for each of the 12 keys:
1. **C7#5**
- Notes: C - E - G# - Bb
2. **C#7#5 / Db7#5**
- Notes: C# - F - A - B
3. **D7#5**
- Notes: D - F# - A# - C
4. **D#7#5 / Eb7#5**
- Notes: D# - G - B - C#
5. **E7#5**
- Notes: E - G# - C - D
6. **F7#5**
- Notes: F - A - C# - Eb
7. **F#7#5 / Gb7#5**
- Notes: F# - A# - D - E
8. **G7#5**
- Notes: G - B - D# - F
9. **G#7#5 / Ab7#5**
- Notes: G# - C - E - F#
10. **A7#5**
- Notes: A - C# - F - G
11. **A#7#5 / Bb7#5**
- Notes: A# - D - F# - G#
12. **B7#5**
- Notes: B - D# - G - A
Each of these chords adds a unique color and tension to music, providing an interesting way to lead to a resolution or add complexity to a harmonic progression.
**Where to Use Augmented 7 Chords:**
- **In Jazz:** They are often used in turnarounds and to create chromatic movement.
- **In Blues:** They add an intense sound, especially in dominant positions.
- **In Classical and Modern Music:** To create a sense of suspense and resolution.
By integrating augmented 7 chords into your compositions and improvisations, you can add a layer of depth and intrigue to your music. Have you experimented with augmented 7 chords in your playing? What impact did they have on your musical pieces?
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