The B flat augmented chord contains B♭, D and F♯. Also written B♭aug or B♭+, it has formula 1–3–♯5. Compare its three notes in root position and two inversions.
Build the B flat augmented chord from B♭ major by raising F to F♯ and keeping B♭ and D. The root-to-third distance is four semitones, and the root-to-augmented-fifth distance is eight. F natural would restore a perfect fifth and the major triad.
Preserve the written note spelling shown for this chord.
Choose a position to keep the written notes, sounding keys, bass note, playback and print reference synchronized.
Choose B♭, D and F♯ in the exercise. Both black keys are necessary: F natural makes B♭ major, while D♭ changes the third. Selection order does not set the bass; use the position selector to compare the authored note orders.
B♭aug uses 1–3–♯5: B♭–D–F♯.
Compared with B♭ major, raise the fifth by one semitone.
The chord tones stay the same while the lowest chord tone changes.
| Position | Symbol | Notes, low to high | Bass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Root position, current selection | B♭aug | B♭3–D4–F♯4 | B♭3 |
| First inversion | B♭aug/D | D4–F♯4–B♭4 | D4 |
| Second inversion | B♭aug/F♯ | F♯4–B♭4–D5 | F♯4 |
The B flat augmented chord diagrams identify pitches and octaves rather than fingers. Inversions begin on D and F♯. Keep the B♭ root spelling and the raised fifth F♯ when comparing them; the written bass label identifies the selected position.
Use the written notes, keyboard positions and playback without treating the diagram as a required hand shape.
Read left- and right-hand finger numbersOpen Music Theory
Supports: augmented triad formula and written tone spelling
Scope: Supports the chord formula and spelling only; keyboard layouts are PianoGrid examples, and no fingering is assigned.
B♭, D and F♯: root, major third and augmented fifth. The three written chord members use the letters B, D and F.
The B flat augmented chord raises the fifth F to F♯. G♭ sounds on the same piano key, but the letter F preserves the fifth relationship to the root B♭.
No. The plus sign identifies an augmented triad here. A symbol with an additional seventh would require another chord member; the three-note reference on this page does not supply it.
D starts the first inversion and F♯ the second. Root position starts on B♭. The three sounding pitch classes stay the same as their low-to-high order changes.
Select the three pitch classes that make B♭aug, then check your answer.
This one-octave exercise checks pitch classes. Order and octave do not affect the result; fingering and live performance are not assessed.
One octave, C through B. Select a key again to remove it.
Chord tones: B♭–D–F♯ · Formula: 1, 3, ♯5
Dots mark the notes to play. C4 is middle C. Numbers identify octaves, not fingers.