B Augmented Chord on Guitar
Baug B D♯ F𝄪 2 shapes Barre chord
How to play B Augmented on guitar
The B Augmented chord (Baug) is made of B, D♯, F𝄪 - 1 3 #5. On a guitar in standard tuning the easiest way to play it is the A-shape shape at fret 1 (x2100x). Below are 2 shapes in all, from the lowest on the neck to the highest; the same chord sounds brighter the higher you play it.
E-shape, fret 7 7x988x
Strings from the low E (left) to the high E (right). Numbers are fingers: 1 index, 2 middle, 3 ring, 4 little. x = do not play the string, o = open string, a bar = one finger across several strings.
What notes are in B Augmented?
The B Augmented chord has 3 different notes: B, D♯, F𝄪. Two major thirds stacked; the raised fifth makes it restless. A guitar chord rarely has as many strings as notes, so shapes double some of them: every shape here leaves at least one string unplayed - watch the x marks. Mute the strings marked x with the side of a fretting finger, so that only the chord rings.
| Note | Interval from the root | Half steps |
|---|---|---|
| B | Root | 0 |
| D♯ | Major 3rd | 4 |
| F𝄪 | Augmented 5th | 8 |
Frequently asked
How do you play Baug on guitar?
The A-shape shape x2100x: A string fret 2 (finger 2), D string fret 1 (finger 1); let G and B ring open, do not play low E and high E.
What notes are in the B Augmented chord?
The B Augmented chord (Baug) is made of B, D♯, F𝄪. Its formula is 1 3 #5. On the guitar, some of those notes are played twice on different strings.
Can I play Baug without a barre?
There is no common open shape for Baug in standard tuning, so it is played as a movable shape: a-shape, open position (x2100x) is the lowest on the neck. If a full barre is hard at first, play only the four highest strings of that shape - the root and the third are still there.
Strum Baug, then build a song around it
The guitar on this page is free, with no account. GOONS Studio adds the rest of the band in the browser - a sampled piano with chord pads, drum machines, a bass synth and a sequencer - with a 7-day free trial, no card required.