What's the opposite of a diminished chord?

Question

What's the opposite of a diminished chord?

Answer 1

1 3 b5 isn't very common, but if you want to use it, go for it. All you need to tell people is that it's an E (b5) chord or whatever. Other musicians will know what you mean. Think about what notes would be in a 1 #3 #5 chord.... let's say C. That would be C, E# (F) and G# (Ab)... that's a second inversion Fm triad. That's why. There's really not that many types of 7th chords. It's a system. There's major 7, dominant 7, minor 7, half-diminished 7, and diminished 7. You don't see much else, but if you come across a something like Cm(maj7) it's pretty clear what notes are in that chord from the name alone, so it's nothing to stress about. 6th chords... well, personally, I don't believe in 6th chords. They almost ALWAYS function as a first inversion minor 7 or half-diminished 7. If I see A6, I think F#m7. It's the same exact notes.

Answer 2

Augmented.

Peace.

Answer 3

First off, you've got your terminology a little off....



C - C E G

Cm - C Eb G

Cdim - C Eb Gb



When modifying notes you keep the original note letter - you don't say "D#" if you're flatting the third here, but "Eb" instead. You're flatting E - it makes sense that way. Likewise with the fifth.



When you name a chord as "dim", you imply that it is a minor chord already, so we don't think of it as flatting the third - the third is already flatted. Subtle distinction, but important.



If the triad was major, then the proper terminology would be "dim5" or "(b5)". It's kinda weak, but its honestly not used very often. I actually had to look it up to make sure I had the naming convention right for a major triad with a flatted fifth!



The "opposite" of a diminished chord would be an augmented chord, where the fifth is augmented, or raised a half-step. Just like the diminished chord, it is assumed that the triad is major -



C - C E G

Caug - C E G#



I couldn't even find a reference for what to name a chord where a minor triad has an augmented fifth.



Now, if we look at the notes you've proposed...



? - C F G#



if C is the root, then C+(sus4) seems like the most likely name. The third isn't present, but the 4th interval is (F), and the fifth is augmented, so major tonality is implied.



if F is the root, then the fifth is present, but a sharped major second is, too... if you called it Ab, though, then this is a simple Fm chord, second inversion.



Um, if G# is the root.... then C is a flatted fifth, and F is a bb7 (double flatted seventh).... if you called it E# instead, though, then it becomes a major sixth interval. Weird chord... G#maj6(no3)(b5). First inversion.



I'm not up on proper naming convention when inversions come into play, so don't hold me strictly to what I've said.... if you want textbook answers, get a textbook. =)







Saul