Chord Information
Learn how to play Baug on piano
Notes in Chord
Intervals
Inversion
Notes (bottom to top): B4 - D#5 - G5
Right Hand Fingering
3=middle, 4=ring, 5=pinky
Interactive Piano
Click the highlighted keys to play the Baug chord
About the Baug Chord
The B augmented chord creates a bright, floating sound from the distinctive B root. Comprising B-D#-F##(G), this chord has a crystalline quality that seems to shimmer without resolving. The raised fifth (F##/G) adds an expansive tension to B's already brilliant character.
B augmented is symmetrically related to D# augmented and G augmented—all three share the same pitches. This makes B+ useful for connecting B, D#/Eb, and G key areas. The chord's brightness makes it effective for moments of wonder or transcendence.
On piano, B+ spans B (white), D# (black), and G (white). This accessible pattern makes the chord comfortable to play while exploring its unique harmonic color.
Music Theory & Usage
B augmented often appears as an altered dominant in E major (B+ instead of B or B7) or as a chromatic passing chord. Moving from B to B+ to E creates voice leading where G rises to G#. It functions in whole-tone contexts as well.
Jazz musicians use B+ in altered dominant voicings, particularly in progressions to E. Classical composers employed it for moments of heightened expression. Rock music occasionally features it for psychedelic or dreamlike effects.
Famous Songs Using Baug
Hear how professional musicians use the Baug chord in these well-known songs:
“Because”
by The Beatles
The three-part harmony uses rich chromatic chords throughout
“I Am the Walrus”
by The Beatles
Psychedelic arrangement features unusual chromatic harmony
“Waterfall”
by Chopin (Étude Op. 10 No. 1)
Virtuosic study with chromatic augmented passages
“Space Oddity”
by David Bowie
Uses otherworldly harmonic colors including augmented chords
How to Play Baug on Piano
- Place your thumb on B.
- Place your middle finger on D#.
- Place your pinky finger on G.
- Press all keys simultaneously to hear the Baug chord.
Recommended fingering: 1-3-5 (right hand)
Baug Chord Inversions
The Baug chord can be played in different inversions:
Root Position
B - D# - G (bass note: B)
First Inversion
D# - G - B (bass note: D#)
Second Inversion
G - B - D# (bass note: G)
Common Chord Progressions Using Baug
I-IV-V Progression
Common chord progression
I-V-vi-IV Progression
Common chord progression
Practice Tips for Baug
- Start slowly and focus on pressing all keys simultaneously for a clean sound.
- Practice transitioning between Baug and other common chords to build muscle memory.
- This is a fundamental chord - master it in all inversions before moving to complex chords.
- Try playing Baug as part of simple progressions to understand its harmonic function.
Frequently Asked Questions about Baug
Is the fifth of B augmented F## or G?
Both refer to the same pitch. F## is theoretically correct in B major context (B-D#-F##), while G is the simpler enharmonic name. In practice, most think of it as G. Use the spelling that makes sense in your harmonic context.
What is the fingering for B augmented?
For right hand, use 1-3-5 (thumb on B, middle on D#, pinky on G). For left hand, use 5-3-1. The D# black key falls naturally under the middle finger. This shape is comfortable and intuitive.
What chords does B augmented resolve to?
B+ commonly resolves to E major (G moves to G#), to B major (G moves down to F#), or to Em (G stays while other voices adjust). The raised fifth typically moves by half step to create smooth resolution.
Is B augmented the same as G augmented?
Yes, B+ (B-D#-G), D#+ (D#-G-B), and G+ (G-B-D#) all contain the same three pitches in different arrangements. This augmented symmetry allows any of them to pivot between B, D#/Eb, and G key areas.