B augmented chord (Baug)

The B augmented chord (Baug) is an augmented triad: B, D♯ and F𝄪, two major thirds stacked on top of each other (root, major third and augmented fifth).

Because it splits the octave into three equal major thirds, B augmented has the same notes as G augmented; only the bass note changes.

With B, D♯ and F𝄪, B augmented does not fit any major or natural minor scale: it is the chord on the third degree (III+) of the harmonic minor scale and is mostly used as a passing chord, as in I–I+–IV.

Below: voicings, notes on the fretboard, ukulele, piano and inversions.

How to play B augmented on guitar

There are 3 guitar voicings.

Frets from the 6th string to the 1st: x = not played, 0 = open string.

  • Voicing 1: x-2-1-4-0-3, open position, with B in the bass (fingers x-2-1-4-0-3).
  • Voicing 2: 7-x-9-8-8-x, with B in the bass (fingers 1-x-4-2-3-x).
  • Voicing 3: x-14-13-12-12-x, with B in the bass (fingers x-4-3-1-2-x).

Notes of the B augmented chord on the fretboard

B augmented has 3 notes: B, D♯ and F𝄪. This is where they fall on each string, from the nut to the 12th fret (fret number in parentheses):

  • String 6 (E): F𝄪 (3) · B (7) · D♯ (11)
  • String 5 (A): B (2) · D♯ (6) · F𝄪 (10)
  • String 4 (D): D♯ (1) · F𝄪 (5) · B (9)
  • String 3 (G): F𝄪 (0) · B (4) · D♯ (8) · F𝄪 (12)
  • String 2 (B): B (0) · D♯ (4) · F𝄪 (8) · B (12)
  • String 1 (E): F𝄪 (3) · B (7) · D♯ (11)

Formula and intervals of B augmented

Its formula is 1-3-♯5; in semitones from the root, 0-4-8.

  • B: Root, the note that gives the chord its name
  • D♯: Major third (M3), 4 semitones above B
  • F𝄪: Augmented fifth (A5), 8 semitones above B

B augmented on ukulele

  • Ukulele (G C E A): 0-3-3-2; it sounds F𝄪, D♯, F𝄪 and B.

B augmented on piano

  • Keys: B4, D♯5 and F𝄪5.

Inversions of B augmented

Each inversion puts a different note in the bass.

  • Root position: B, D♯ and F𝄪, with B in the bass.
  • First inversion (Baug/D♯): D♯, F𝄪 and B, with D♯ in the bass.
  • Second inversion (Baug/F𝄪): F𝄪, B and D♯, with F𝄪 in the bass.

Keys that use B augmented

B augmented (B, D♯ and F𝄪) is not a diatonic chord of any major or natural minor key. The augmented fifth does appear in the harmonic and melodic minor scales, where B augmented is the chord on the third degree.

Progressions with B augmented

  • Augmented passing chord in B major (I–I+–IV): B – Baug – E

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B augmented chord?

B, D♯ and F𝄪: root, major third and augmented fifth. Its formula is 1-3-♯5.

Why does B augmented sound the same as G augmented?

Because the augmented chord divides the octave into three major thirds: B, D♯ and F𝄪. When you invert it, the bass note changes but the notes stay the same distance apart, so B augmented uses the same keys and frets as G augmented.

What is the B augmented chord used for?

Mostly as a passing chord, as in I–I+–IV: on the same root, the fifth of the major triad rises a half step, giving B, D♯ and F𝄪, which pushes toward IV. It is also the III+ of the harmonic minor scale.