Piano chord
B♭augB flat augmented
- B♭1
- D3
- F♯♯5
- Notes
- 3
- Positions
- 3
- Span
- 8semitones
- Fingers
- 1-3-5
How to play B♭aug on piano
- Find B♭: it is the root and the lowest note of the chord in root position.
- Right hand: 1 on B♭, 3 on D, 5 on F♯.
- Or with the left hand: 5 on B♭, 3 on D, 1 on F♯.
- Press the keys together, with curved fingers and a loose wrist, and let them ring.
Root position · B♭ – D – F♯
1st inversion · D – F♯ – B♭
2nd inversion · F♯ – B♭ – D
Numbers on the keys are fingers: 1 thumb, 2 index, 3 middle, 4 ring, 5 little finger.
B♭aug inversions
Here are all 3 positions of B♭aug. The notes stay the same, only their order changes: root position has B♭ at the bottom, and every inversion starts on the next chord tone.
- Root positionbass: B♭Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 1st inversionbass: DRight hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
- 2nd inversionbass: F♯Right hand 1-3-5 · Left hand 5-3-1
B♭aug with two hands
A full sound: the left hand plays B♭ an octave lower, the right hand plays B♭–D–F♯.
B♭aug on other instruments
About the B♭aug chord
The 3 notes of B flat augmented are B♭ (1), D (3), F♯ (♯5). An augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Restless and dreamy, often used as a passing chord.
Put your thumb on B♭ and count up: B♭ – D – F♯. The whole chord spans 8 semitones from bottom to top. That fits inside an octave, so one hand covers B♭aug without stretching.
The inversions of B♭aug keep the same notes in a new order. In the 1st inversion the bass is D (D–F♯–B♭). In the 2nd inversion the bass is F♯ (F♯–B♭–D).
Change one key and B♭ becomes B♭aug: replace F with F♯.
Questions
What notes are in the B♭aug chord?
B♭aug (B flat augmented) has 3 notes: B♭ (1), D (3), F♯ (♯5).
How many inversions does B♭aug have?
B♭aug can be played in 3 positions: Root position (B♭–D–F♯); 1st inversion (D–F♯–B♭); 2nd inversion (F♯–B♭–D).
What is the difference between B♭aug and B♭?
Change one key and B♭ becomes B♭aug: replace F with F♯.
Can I play B♭aug with one hand?
Yes. In root position B♭aug spans 8 semitones, less than an octave, so one hand holds it easily.