Explore chords · Ukulele
B augmented chord on ukulele (Baug)
Also called or written Baug or B+
B augmented contains B, D♯, and F♯♯. Its 2nd fret shape stacks three fingers in a tight diagonal, with the pinky stretching to the 4th fret.
How it is built
Formula 1, 3, ♯5
- Root positionB–D♯–F♯♯Baug×-11-11-10
- First inversionD♯–F♯♯–BBaug/D♯4-3-3-2
- Second inversionF♯♯–B–D♯Baug/F♯♯8-7-7-6
How do you play a B augmented chord on ukulele?
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
IntermediateThe pinky stretch to the 4th fret on the 4th string while the other fingers hold frets 2 and 3 is the main challenge.
10th fret · ×-11-11-10
B augmented is played at the 10th fret as × 11 11 10: middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 10. The G string stays muted.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | muted | — | — |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
Baug/F♯♯ inversion
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
Baug/D♯ inversion · open position
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.
Full note and interval 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) |
10th fret · 12-11-11-10
B augmented is played at the 10th fret as 12 11 11 10: pinky finger on the G string at fret 12, middle finger on the C string at fret 11, ring finger on the E string at fret 11 and index finger on the A string at fret 10.
Full note and interval breakdown
| String | Fret | Finger | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (G) | 12 | 4 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
| 3 (C) | 11 | 2 | B (1) |
| 2 (E) | 11 | 3 | D♯ (3) |
| 1 (A) | 10 | 1 | F♯♯ (♯5) |
Why it sounds like that
B augmented is built from a major 3rd between B and D♯, and an augmented 5th between B and F♯♯. The raised fifth gives the chord its bright, restless quality. Compare it to B major, where the fifth is natural.
What goes wrong with B augmented?
- Letting the pinky mute the 3rd string by collapsing.
- Pressing the ring finger too flat and deadening the 1st string.
- Strumming before the index finger fully frets the 1st string.
When to use it
B augmented works as a passing chord in B major progressions, such as B–Baug–E, the I–I+–IV. Its tense sound suits jazz and classical passages. Use it with B major or B 7th.
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 2nd fret voicing puts B in the bass and is the most compact. The 10th fret version mutes the 4th string and sounds brighter. For a D♯ bass, use the Baug/D♯ inversion at the 6th fret.
Other B chords
Common questions
What is the difference between B augmented and B major?
B major has a perfect 5th, F♯, while B augmented raises that to F♯♯. The raised fifth gives B augmented its distinctive unsettled sound.
Why does B augmented sound unstable?
B augmented has an augmented 5th, F♯♯, which creates tension. The chord's two major 3rds divide the octave symmetrically. This symmetry makes it want to resolve.
Can B augmented be played with open strings?
The Baug/F♯♯ inversion at the 2nd fret uses an open 4th string, but the default voicing frets all four strings. The open string version has F♯♯ in the bass.