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Bb Augmented Chord

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

  • Notes: B flat-D-F sharp
  • Symbol: Bbaug
  • Vaug in Eb major
  • Raised fifth
Switch chordBbaug

How to play a Bb augmented chord

Notes: Bb - D - F# · symbol Bbaug

  • Root position

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

  • 1st inversion

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

  • 2nd inversion

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

Where does Bb augmented belong?

In Eb 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 Eb majorPushing dominant
    V+

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

    EbIBbaugV+EbI
  • In Bb majorRising line
    I+

    The fifth rises a half step at a time: a classic way to walk from Bb to Eb.

    BbIBbaugI+Bb6I6EbIV

Progressions to try

  • EbBbaugEb

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

  • BbBbaugBb6Eb

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

Which shape should you use?

On guitar, start with the open x10332 grip. Let the open strings ring and keep any strings marked x silent. The x-x-8-7-7-10 shape gives you another position when the neighboring chords sit elsewhere on the neck.

On ukulele, start with 3225, played at the 2nd fret. The 7669 grip moves the chord to another register.

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

What are the inversions?

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

  • Root position: B flat-D-F sharp, with B flat lowest.
  • First inversion: D-F sharp-B flat, written Bbaug/D if D is lowest in the whole arrangement.
  • Second inversion: F sharp-B flat-D, written Bbaug/F# if F 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 Bbaug differ from Bb?

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

  • Bbaug

    Bb - D - F#
    C4

    Bb augmented

  • Bb

    Bb - D - F
    C4

    Bb major

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