B♭ augmented (B♭aug) chord on piano

The B♭ augmented chord (B♭aug) is an augmented triad (two major thirds), made of three notes: B♭ – D – F♯. The same chord with a different spelling: A♯ augmented (A♯aug).

Root position: B♭3 – D4 – F♯4

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What the B♭aug chord sounds like

An augmented triad is two stacked major thirds. It sounds floating, dreamlike and unresolved, and is often a passing chord (e.g. C → Caug → F or Am).

Notes of the B♭aug chord

Degree	Note	Interval from the root
1	B♭	root
3	D	major third (4 semitones)
5	F♯	augmented fifth (8 semitones)

Root position and inversions

An inversion uses the same notes, with a different note at the bottom. When you change chords, choosing the nearest inversion keeps your hand almost still.

Root position

B♭3 – D4 – F♯4

1st inversion

D4 – F♯4 – B♭4

2nd inversion

F♯4 – B♭4 – D5

Which keys is it in?

The B♭aug chord is built from the notes of these keys (for minor keys, both the natural and the harmonic minor are considered):

G minor: III+

Similar chords and substitutes

If B♭aug is too hard, or you want a different colour in the same spot, these chords are worth a try.

Substitutes (by function)

B♭ – the raised fifth falls back to a perfect fifth
E♭ – as a passing chord it resolves here (V+ → I)

Same notes

Daug – the same notes with a different root
F♯aug – the same notes with a different root

Frequently asked questions

What notes are in the B♭aug chord?

B♭, D, F♯. The root is B♭; the intervals of the other notes from the root: major third, augmented fifth.

How do I play the B♭aug chord on piano?

In root position, the right hand usually plays with fingers 1, 3 and 5 (thumb, middle finger, little finger); four-note chords with fingers 1, 2, 3 and 5. The left hand mirrors this: 5, 3, 1. In an inversion the top or bottom note moves to the other side, so your hand moves less when you change chords.

Why do some songbooks write H instead of B?

In German and Central European notation, H is the note B, and B is the note B♭. So a “B” chord in a German or Hungarian songbook is B♭ in English notation, and an “H” chord is B. Always check which notation your chord chart uses.