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B augmented chord on guitar (Baug)
Also called or written Baug or B+
B augmented contains B, D♯, and F♯♯. The open shape is a beginner-friendly grip with two open strings.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionB–D♯–F♯♯Baug×-2-1-0-0-3
- First inversionD♯–F♯♯–BBaug/D♯×-×-1-0-0-3
- Second inversionF♯♯–B–D♯Baug/F♯♯3-2-1-0-0-3
How do you play a B augmented chord on guitar?
B augmented is played in open position as × 2 1 0 0 3: middle finger on the A string at fret 2, index finger on the D string at fret 1 and ring finger on the high e string at fret 3. The G and B strings ring open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 2 | 2 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 1 | 1 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | open | — | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (B) | open | — | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 3 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
BeginnerThe ring finger must reach the 3rd fret on the high e string while the index holds the 1st fret on the D string.
3rd fret
B augmented is played at the 3rd fret as × × × 4 4 3: middle finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the B string at fret 4 and index finger on the high e string at fret 3. The low E, A and D strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (G) | 4 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (B) | 4 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (e) | 3 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
5th fret
B augmented is played at the 5th fret as 7 6 5 × × ×: ring finger on the low 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, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 7 | 3 | B (1) |
| 5 (A) | 6 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 4 (D) | 5 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
7th fret
B augmented is played at the 7th fret as × × 9 8 8 7: pinky finger on the D string at fret 9, middle finger on the G string at fret 8, ring finger on the B string at fret 8 and index finger on the high e string at fret 7. The low E and A strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | muted | — | — |
| 4 (D) | 9 | 4 | B (1) |
| 3 (G) | 8 | 2 | D♯ (3) |
| 2 (B) | 8 | 3 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (e) | 7 | 1 | B (1) |
12th fret
B augmented is played at the 12th fret as × 14 13 12 12 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 14, ring finger on the D string at fret 13, index finger on the G string at fret 12 and middle finger on the B string at fret 12. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 14 | 4 | B (1) |
| 4 (D) | 13 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 3 (G) | 12 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (B) | 12 | 2 | B (1) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
Why it sounds like that
B augmented is built from the formula 1, 3, ♯5. The augmented 5th, F♯♯, is eight semitones above the root and gives the chord its tense, unresolved quality. Compare it to B major, which has a perfect 5th instead.
What goes wrong with B augmented?
- Let the low E string ring; it is not a chord tone.
- Flatten the middle finger onto the A string and mute it.
- Miss the ring finger stretch to the 3rd fret on the high e string.
When to use it
B augmented works as a passing chord in B major progressions, such as B–B augmented–E. B augmented suits jazz, blues, and dramatic ballads. Try it before B major or B 7th.
Changing to and from B augmented
- Sliding the shape down two frets to the 1st fret gives A augmented.
- From B augmented, move to B major by lowering the F♯♯ to F♯ on the high e string.
Which voicing to use
The open position has B in the bass and is the most accessible. The 3rd fret shape uses only three strings and is easier for quick changes. The 5th fret shape moves the chord up the neck for a brighter sound.
Other B chords
Common questions
How is B augmented written?
B augmented is written as B+ or Baug.
What is the difference between B augmented and B major?
B augmented has an F♯♯, while B major has an F♯. The raised fifth creates a tense, unresolved sound.
Can B augmented be used as a substitute for B major?
B augmented can replace B major briefly, especially when moving to a chord like E. It adds tension that resolves when the fifth drops back.