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B Augmented Chord

Baug stacks two major thirds, from B to D sharp and from D sharp to F double sharp. The raised fifth keeps the chord from sounding like an ordinary major resting point.

  • Notes: B-D sharp-F double sharp
  • Symbol: Baug
  • Vaug in E major
  • Raised fifth
Switch chordBaug

How to play a B augmented chord

Notes: B - D# - F## · symbol Baug

  • Root position

    B - D# - F##
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 1st inversion

    D# - F## - B
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-2-5 · Left 5-3-1

  • 2nd inversion

    F## - B - D#
    C4C5
    Right hand 1-3-5 · Left 5-2-1

Where does B augmented belong?

In E major, the raised fifth can sharpen the pull of a dominant chord.
Play the role cards to hear how its surrounding chords change the job it does; Diatonic Chords explains the basic numbered roles.

  • In E majorPushing dominant
    V+

    Raising the fifth to F double sharp adds a note that climbs straight to the third of E.

    EIBaugV+EI
  • In B majorRising line
    I+

    The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from B to E.

    BIBaugI+B6I6EIV

Progressions to try

  • EBaugE

    The raised fifth of Baug intensifies the dominant before the final tonic.

  • BBaugB6E

    The line moves from an ordinary major chord through Baug to a sixth chord before changing harmony.

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x21003 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x-x-9-8-8-11 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, the open shape 0332 is the easiest place to start. The 4336 grip moves the chord to another register.

On piano, play B-D sharp-F double sharp. Move B up an octave to reach the first inversion, D sharp-F double sharp-B; the notes remain the same while the lowest voice changes.

What are the inversions?

B is the root, D sharp the major third and F double sharp the augmented fifth, eight semitones above the root.

  • Root position: B-D sharp-F double sharp, with B lowest.
  • First inversion: D sharp-F double sharp-B, written Baug/D# if D sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F double sharp-B-D sharp, written Baug/F## if F double sharp is lowest in the whole arrangement.

A slash chord names the note in the bass, not merely the lowest note under one hand. Chord Inversions shows how to read that distinction.

How does Baug differ from B?

Keep B and D sharp, then lower the raised fifth F double sharp to F sharp. That makes B; only one note has changed. Try that one-note change on piano, then use the comparer to hear it in the full chord. See B for the other chord's full spelling and roles.

  • Baug

    B - D# - F##
    C4

    B augmented

  • B

    B - D# - F#
    C4

    B major

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