Arranging Music

Week 5

Augmentation and Diminution

In this lesson we will look at the terms of Augmentation and Diminution.

We look at how to use these terms in our arrangements and analyse how these can improve our arrangements.

Augmentation

Augmentation is the technique of extending something.

This could be:

Extending the distance in chord intervals

Extending the length of the notes

Extending parts

Come as you are Example

Before Augmentation:

After Augmentation:

Diminution

Diminution is the opposite process of Augmentation. Diminution refers to the shortening of something.

This could be:

Shortening a long note into smaller sections

Narrowing the intervals between notes in a chord

Come as you are Example

Before Diminuation:

After Diminuation:

Augmented Chords

Augmented chords are chords in which an interval has been extended from the usual intervals found in that chord.

For example:

Diminished Chords

Diminished Chords are chords which have had an interval decreased.

Some examples

Task

Include one example of each of the following in your arrangements:

Augmented melody

Diminished melody

Augmented Chords

Diminished Chords