The minor ♯5 chord keeps a minor third but raises the fifth to a augmented fifth (1-♭3-♯5). Between ♭3 and ♯5 you hear an augmented second (enharmonically like a minor third in 12-TET), which makes the sonority restless and exotic compared with a plain minor triad. It appears in modal and jazz contexts, often as a passing color or as part of larger minor-family voicings.
Construction
Formula: 1-♭3-♯5. In Cm(♯5), spell C-E♭-G♯ (or A♭ for readability).
Usage
Short color hits, altered minor lines in jazz and fusion, and dramatic shifts when moving between diatonic minor and whole-tone or augmented-leaning harmony.
Examples
- Modal tunes that emphasize raised-fifth color on minor tonic
- Jazz minor lines with brief ♯5 emphasis before resolving to natural 5
- Film cues that need a minor frame with sharpened tension
Play
Keep the minor third clear, avoid muddy doubling, and resolve ♯5 by step when you want a classical sense of voice leading.
Ear-training cues
Minor third at the bottom with a widened fifth that feels brighter and more unstable than a perfect fifth.
