Tools / Chords / B augmented

B augmented chord on ukulele (Baug)

Also written Baug or B+

Ukulele · Baug/D♯ inversion · open position

B augmented contains B, D♯, and F♯♯. The open G string gives this shape a surprisingly light attack.

Baug/D♯ inversion · open position0-3-3-2

Positions on the neck1 of 5

How it’s built

B1Root

D♯3Major 3rd

F♯♯♯5Augmented 5th

Formula 1, 3, ♯5

Positions on the neck1 of 5

Inversions

The same three notes, with a different one in the bass.

Root positionB–D♯–F♯♯BaugBass B

First inversionD♯–F♯♯–BBaug/D♯Bass D♯

Second inversionF♯♯–B–D♯Baug/F♯♯Bass F♯♯

Why it sounds like that

B augmented is built from a major third and an augmented fifth above B. The raised fifth F♯♯ creates the chord's tense, symmetrical quality. Compare B major, which uses F♯ instead.

What goes wrong with B augmented?

Letting the middle finger flatten onto the E string, which deadens the open G string next to it.
Pressing the ring finger too far from the fret, causing the E string to buzz.
Strumming the G string too hard, overpowering the fretted notes.

When to use it

B augmented works as a passing chord in B major, especially before B major or B 5th. Its unstable sound suits brief moments of tension in jazz or classical passages.

Changing to and from B augmented

Sliding the shape down one fret to the 1st fret gives B♭ augmented.
Sliding the shape up one fret to the 3rd fret gives C augmented.

Which voicing to use

The default D♯ inversion places the third in the bass, giving a brighter, less grounded sound. The F♯♯ inversion at frets 4-7-7-6 puts the augmented fifth in the bass for a more dissonant edge.

How do you play a B augmented chord on ukulele?

Baug/D♯ inversion · open position

Beginner● On the diagram

B augmented is played in open position as 0 3 3 2: middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2. The G string rings open.

Tip — The middle and ring fingers share fret 3 on adjacent strings, requiring precise arching to avoid muting the open G string.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	open	—	F♯♯ (♯5)
3 (C)	3	2	D♯ (3)
2 (E)	3	3	F♯♯ (♯5)
1 (A)	2	1	B (1)

Baug/D♯ inversion · fret 2

Intermediate

B augmented is played at the 2nd fret as 4 3 3 2: pinky finger on the G string at fret 4, middle finger on the C string at fret 3, ring finger on the E string at fret 3 and index finger on the A string at fret 2.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	4	B (1)
3 (C)	3	2	D♯ (3)
2 (E)	3	3	F♯♯ (♯5)
1 (A)	2	1	B (1)

Baug/D♯ inversion · fret 3

Intermediate

B augmented is played at the 3rd fret as 4 3 3 6: ring finger on the G string at fret 4, index finger on the C string at fret 3, middle finger on the E string at fret 3 and pinky finger on the A string at fret 6.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	3	B (1)
3 (C)	3	1	D♯ (3)
2 (E)	3	2	F♯♯ (♯5)
1 (A)	6	4	D♯ (3)

Baug/F♯♯ inversion · fret 4

Intermediate

B augmented is played at the 4th fret as 4 7 7 6: index finger on the G string at fret 4, ring finger on the C string at fret 7, pinky finger on the E string at fret 7 and middle finger on the A string at fret 6.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	4	1	B (1)
3 (C)	7	3	F♯♯ (♯5)
2 (E)	7	4	B (1)
1 (A)	6	2	D♯ (3)

Baug/F♯♯ inversion · fret 6

Intermediate

B augmented is played at the 6th fret as 8 7 7 6: pinky finger on the G string at fret 8, middle finger on the C string at fret 7, ring finger on the E string at fret 7 and index finger on the A string at fret 6.

String-by-string breakdown

String	Fret	Finger	Note
4 (G)	8	4	D♯ (3)
3 (C)	7	2	F♯♯ (♯5)
2 (E)	7	3	B (1)
1 (A)	6	1	D♯ (3)

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 raises the fifth from F♯ to F♯♯, while B major uses F♯. This single change gives B augmented its distinctive tension.

Why does B augmented sound unstable?

The augmented fifth F♯♯ creates a symmetrical structure of two major thirds, which lacks the resolution of a perfect fifth. This makes B augmented naturally want to move to a stable chord.

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

open

—

F♯♯ (♯5)

3 (C)

D♯ (3)

2 (E)

F♯♯ (♯5)

1 (A)

B (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (1)

3 (C)

D♯ (3)

2 (E)

F♯♯ (♯5)

1 (A)

B (1)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (1)

3 (C)

D♯ (3)

2 (E)

F♯♯ (♯5)

1 (A)

D♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

B (1)

3 (C)

F♯♯ (♯5)

2 (E)

B (1)

1 (A)

D♯ (3)

String

Fret

Finger

Note

4 (G)

D♯ (3)

3 (C)

F♯♯ (♯5)

2 (E)

B (1)

1 (A)

D♯ (3)