B Augmented Chord

The B Augmented chord is a augmented chord built on the root note B. Its notes are B, D♯ and G.

Augmented chords feel floaty and uncertain. Raising the fifth of a major triad creates a symmetrical chord with no clear home, perfect for transitions and dreamy film score moments.

B Augmented on piano

To play B Augmented on piano, place your right-hand thumb on B, middle finger on D♯, and little finger on G. Press all keys at the same time and listen for a clear, balanced sound. Practice switching to and from this chord slowly, then with a metronome at a comfortable tempo.

B Augmented on guitar

On guitar, B Augmented is commonly played with the voicing shown above. If the chord contains barred notes, keep your index finger flat across the fretboard and curve the other fingers so they do not mute the open strings. Strum only the strings marked as active in the diagram for the cleanest tone.

Play the chord

B Augmented

B · D♯ · G

B Augmented chord notes

Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5Notes: B · D♯ · G

Degree	Interval	Semitones	Note
1	Root	0	B
3	Major third	4	D♯(D#)
♯5	Minor sixth	8	G

How to use the B Augmented chord

The B Augmented chord is built from a root, a major third and an augmented fifth. Starting from the root B, stack the intervals to get the complete chord: B, D♯ and G. Learning the formula is the fastest way to transpose the chord to any other key.

Augmented chords show up in jazz, bossa nova, film scores and psychedelic rock. They are often used as a brief transition chord, for example between I and vi in a major key.

Common progressions

The B Augmented chord works beautifully in these progressions. Click a chord name to jump to its page.

Pop progression

I → V → vi → IV

B F♯G♯m E

Classic I-IV-V

I → IV → V → I

B E F♯B

50s progression

I → vi → IV → V

B G♯m E F♯

Scales that contain B+

These scales include B+ as one of their diatonic chords. Use them to find melodies and improvisation ideas that fit perfectly.

E♭ Harmonic Major

E♭ · F · G · A♭ · B♭ · B · D

E♭ Phrygian Dominant

E♭ · E · G · A♭ · B♭ · B · D♭

E♭ Gypsy Major

E♭ · E · G · A♭ · B♭ · B · D

A♭ Harmonic Minor

A♭ · B♭ · B · D♭ · E♭ · E · G

A♭ Melodic Minor

A♭ · B♭ · B · D♭ · E♭ · F · G

A♭ Hungarian Minor

A♭ · B♭ · B · D · E♭ · E · G

A♭ Neapolitan Major

A♭ · A · B · D♭ · E♭ · F · G

B♭ Neapolitan Major

B♭ · B · D♭ · E♭ · F · G · A

Once you are comfortable with B Augmented, explore neighbouring chords to unlock new progressions. The chords below share notes, keys or functions with B Augmented and are a natural next step in your practice.

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B Augmented chord?

The B Augmented chord contains B, D♯ and G (B, D# and G in plain text).

Is the B Augmented chord major or minor?

B Augmented is a augmented chord. Augmented chords feel floaty and uncertain. Raising the fifth of a major triad creates a symmetrical chord with no clear home, perfect for transitions and dreamy film score moments.

How do you play B Augmented on piano?

Place your fingers on B, D♯ and G and play the notes together. On piano, the root is usually played with the little finger of the left hand and the upper notes with the right hand.

How do you play B Augmented on guitar?

B Augmented is typically played using the fingering shown in the interactive diagram above. You can also try an open position if one of the chord tones lines up with an open string.

What chords work well with B Augmented?

B Augmented pairs naturally with the chords listed in the related chords section. Chords a perfect fifth up or down, relative major or minor chords, and chords sharing two notes are all strong choices.

Keep exploring

Deepen your understanding of the B Augmented chord with our other music theory tools.

Browse all chords Try the Piano Open Circle of Fifths