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Guitar chords · Augmented

B+ chord on guitar (Baug)

B+ (B ) has three notes: B, D♯ and F𝄪 (played as G), the , 3 and ♯5.

Shapes

How to play B+

Strum a shape to hear it, or pick it one string at a time. R marks the ; the other numbers are the chord tones.

B+ has no common . Play it as the A shape at 2 or the E shape at fret 7. A keeps its fingering anywhere on the neck: slide it up or down and the , on the lowest played string, names the chord.

  • A shape · fret 2

    ××R3BD♯F𝄪B
  • E shape · fret 7

    7fr××RR3♯5BBD♯F𝄪
Name a shape you're holding: the chord finder

Notes and formula

What makes B+ augmented

An chord raises the 5th of a major chord by a . Its notes split the into three equal parts, which gives it a floating, unsettled sound that wants to move on.

  • 1Root: the note the chord is named after. Keep it.
  • 3Essential: makes the chord what it is. Never drop it.
  • 5Optional: drop it first when you run out of fingers.

The 3rd and the ♯5th make B+ an chord.

  1. BRroot
  2. D♯3essential
  3. F𝄪♯5essential
EADGBE0135791215BBBBBBBBF𝄪D♯F𝄪D♯F𝄪D♯F𝄪D♯F𝄪D♯F𝄪D♯F𝄪F𝄪D♯F𝄪
  • B, the root
  • Other chord tones

B+ is usually a passing chord: its raised 5th climbs on, as in B, B+, E or B, B+, G♯m. Its three notes are evenly spaced, so the same shape is also E♭+ and G+.

Keys

Keys with B+

B+ belongs to one key: G♯ minor (III+, ).

Numerals follow the key's own scale, so III, VI and VII in a minor key are its own major chords. A ♭ or ♯ in front marks a chord from outside the key. How Roman numerals work

Slash chords

B+ over another bass note

A keeps B+ on top and puts another note in the bass: the letter after the slash is the lowest note you play.

  • B+/D♯

    B+ with its 3rd, D♯, in the bass: the first inversion.

  • B+/F𝄪

    B+ with its ♯5th, F𝄪, in the bass: the second inversion.

Questions

B+, in short

What notes are in the B+ chord?
B+ (B ) has three notes: B, D♯ and F𝄪 (played as G), the , 3 and ♯5.
How do you play B+ on guitar?
B+ has no common . Play it as the A shape at 2 or the E shape at fret 7.
What key is B+ in?
B+ belongs to one key: G♯ minor (III+, ).
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