Also written Baug or B+
B augmented contains B, D♯, and F♯♯. The open position uses one open string and two fretted notes, making it a quick beginner shape.
The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.
B augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th from B to F♯♯ gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it with B major, which uses F♯ instead.
B augmented works as a passing chord in B major, often moving to B major or B 5th. Its tense quality suits rock, blues, and jazz lines that need a brief lift.
The open position keeps B in the bass for a root-position sound. The Baug/D♯ inversion at the 4th fret puts D♯ on the bottom, which softens the chord's drive and works well when the bass line moves stepwise.
B augmented is played in open position as × 2 1 0: middle finger on the A string at fret 2 and index finger on the D string at fret 1. The G string rings open. The E string stays muted.
Tip — The index finger on the 1st fret of the D string must arch over the G string to let it ring open.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | open | — | F♯♯ (♯5) |
B augmented is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 5 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 7, middle finger on the A string at fret 6 and index finger on the D string at fret 5. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (1) |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
B augmented is played at the 12th fret as × 14 13 12: ring finger on the A string at fret 14, middle finger on the D string at fret 13 and index finger on the G string at fret 12. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 14 | 3 | B (1) |
| 2 (D) | 13 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (G) | 12 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
B augmented is played at the 4th fret as × 6 5 4: ring finger on the A string at fret 6, middle finger on the D string at fret 5 and index finger on the G string at fret 4. The E string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (A) | 6 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (D) | 5 | 2 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (G) | 4 | 1 | B (1) |
B augmented is played at the 9th fret as 11 10 9 ×: ring finger on the E string at fret 11, middle finger on the A string at fret 10 and index finger on the D string at fret 9. The G string stays muted.
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (A) | 10 | 2 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (D) | 9 | 1 | B (1) |
| 1 (G) | muted | — | — |
B augmented is written as B+ or Baug.
B augmented raises the fifth from F♯ to F♯♯. That single change makes the chord sound tense and unresolved, while B major sounds stable.
Yes, the 5th-fret position uses the same shape on the E, A, and D strings. It gives a brighter register but the same chord tones.