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B♭ augmented chord on guitar (B♭aug)
Also called or written B♭aug or B♭+
B♭ augmented contains B♭, D, and F♯. The open shape uses a first-fret index stretch and a third-fret pinky reach.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionB♭–D–F♯B♭aug×-1-0-3-3-2
- First inversionD–F♯–B♭B♭aug/D×-×-0-3-3-2
- Second inversionF♯–B♭–DB♭aug/F♯2-1-0-3-3-×
How do you play a B♭ augmented chord on guitar?
B♭ augmented is played in open position as × 1 0 3 3 2: index finger on the A string at fret 1, ring finger on the G string at fret 3, pinky finger on the B string at fret 3 and middle finger on the high e string at fret 2. The D string rings open. The low E string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 1 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
| 4 (D) | open | — | D (3) |
| 3 (G) | 3 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 3 | 4 | D (3) |
| 1 (e) | 2 | 2 | F♯ (♯5) |
IntermediateThe pinky must reach the 3rd fret on the B string while the index holds the 1st fret on the A string.
4th fret
B♭ augmented is played at the 4th fret as 6 5 4 × × ×: ring finger on the low E string at fret 6, middle finger on the A string at fret 5 and index finger on the D string at fret 4. The G, B and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | 6 | 3 | B♭ (1) |
| 5 (A) | 5 | 2 | D (3) |
| 4 (D) | 4 | 1 | F♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 2 (B) | muted | — | — |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
6th fret
B♭ augmented is played at the 6th fret as × × 8 7 7 6: pinky finger on the D string at fret 8, middle finger on the G string at fret 7, ring finger on the B string at fret 7 and index finger on the high e string at fret 6. 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) | 8 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 3 (G) | 7 | 2 | D (3) |
| 2 (B) | 7 | 3 | F♯ (♯5) |
| 1 (e) | 6 | 1 | B♭ (1) |
11th fret
B♭ augmented is played at the 11th fret as × 13 12 11 11 ×: pinky finger on the A string at fret 13, ring finger on the D string at fret 12, index finger on the G string at fret 11 and middle finger on the B string at fret 11. The low E and high e strings stay muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 (E) | muted | — | — |
| 5 (A) | 13 | 4 | B♭ (1) |
| 4 (D) | 12 | 3 | D (3) |
| 3 (G) | 11 | 1 | F♯ (♯5) |
| 2 (B) | 11 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 1 (e) | muted | — | — |
14th fret
B♭ augmented is played at the 14th fret as × × × 15 15 14: middle finger on the G string at fret 15, ring finger on the B string at fret 15 and index finger on the high e string at fret 14. 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) | 15 | 2 | B♭ (1) |
| 2 (B) | 15 | 3 | D (3) |
| 1 (e) | 14 | 1 | F♯ (♯5) |
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 ring finger onto the G string and mute it.
- Miss the pinky stretch to the 3rd fret on the B 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 one fret to the 2nd fret gives A augmented.
- From B♭ augmented, move to B♭ major by lowering the F♯ to F on the B string.
Which voicing to use
The open position has B♭ in the bass and is the most accessible. The 4th fret shape uses only three strings and is easier for quick changes. The 6th 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 B♭aug. The ASCII root spelling is Bb. It is also spelled A♯ in enharmonic notation for the same sounding root.
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.