Bb Augmented

Fretboard

On the fretboard, A# represents Bb.

Adjust labels, frets, and palette in the interactive view.

About

The B♭ augmented triad (B♭–D–F♯) raises the fifth by a half step, replacing the stable perfect fifth with an augmented fifth. This removes the grounding effect of the perfect fifth and gives the chord its floating, unresolved quality — every interval is a major third, making the structure symmetrical and harmonically ambiguous. It commonly appears as a passing chord between the major triad and the IV chord (B♭ → B♭+ → E♭), or as a V+ that creates extra tension before resolving. All three tones carry weight — omitting the F♯ leaves a plain major chord, so it must be present. Augmented shapes repeat every four frets. Compared to B♭dim, augmented feels more open and less tense, but equally unstable.