B augmented chord on guitar (Baug)

Baug is B, D♯ and F𝄪. The easiest shape is x-2-1-0-0-3. Tap Play, then slow it down.

x-2-1-0-0-3 · open · easy

Notes: B · D♯ · F𝄪
Formula: 1 · 3 · ♯5
First shape: x-2-1-0-0-3

How to play Baug on guitar

Shape 1, x-2-1-0-0-3, reading from the low E string on the left:

Index finger: D string, 1st fret (D♯).
Middle finger: A string, 2nd fret (B).
Ring finger: high E string, 3rd fret (F𝄪).
Let the open G and B strings ring (F𝄪 and B).
Don't play the low E string: start your strum on the A string.

Arch your fingers so their tips come down vertically. That keeps them off the open strings, which have to ring for the chord to sound complete.

Other ways to play Baug

x-14-13-12-12-x: movable shape at the 12th fret, medium. The root is on the A string; it's the Aaug shape moved up the neck.
x-x-9-8-8-7: movable shape at the 7th fret, medium. Fewer strings, so it sounds lighter and is quicker to change to.
7-6-5-4-4-x: partial barre shape at the 4th fret, medium. Use it when the next chord sits nearby on the neck.

Playing Baug with a capo

No barre needed if a capo is allowed: capo on the 7th fret and play the open Eaug shape (0-3-2-1-1-0). The chord sounds as Baug because the capo raises every string by 7 half steps.

Changing from Baug to the chords around it

Songs rarely hold Baug for long. Here's what your hand does on the moves that come up most.

E (the raised fifth pushes up into the IV): Baug (x-2-1-0-0-3) to E (0-2-2-1-0-0): your middle finger stays put, the index finger slides across to the G string at the same fret, the ring finger goes to the D string, 2nd fret. B carries over from one chord to the other. E on guitar
F♯ (V in B major): Baug (x-2-1-0-0-3) to F♯ (2-4-4-3-2-2): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 2nd fret, your middle finger lands on the G string, 3rd fret, move the ring finger to the A string, 4th fret, the pinky finger comes down on the D string, 4th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. F♯ on guitar
G♯m (vi in B major): Baug (x-2-1-0-0-3) to G♯m (4-6-6-4-4-4): the index finger lays across the low E to high E strings at the 4th fret, move the middle finger to the A string, 6th fret, your ring finger lands on the D string, 6th fret. Nothing carries over, so drill it slowly, lifting and landing all fingers at once. The two chords share B and D♯, which is why the change sounds smooth. G♯m on guitar

Baug is an augmented triad: two major thirds stacked, with a raised fifth. Baug is a stepping stone: it often moves on to the IV chord, with the raised fifth rising one more half step. On guitar you hear it best picked slowly, string by string.

Practice Baug in two minutes

Before strumming, play x-2-1-0-0-3 note by note: B then D♯ then F𝄪 then B then F𝄪. A dead note tells you exactly which finger to fix. Finish by moving between x-2-1-0-0-3 and x-14-13-12-12-x to learn two positions of the same chord.

Baug in context

Baug on piano and ukulele

Baug on piano and ukulele uses the same 3 notes in a different layout. See all three together.

Next to try on guitar

Other augmented chords

Baug on guitar: questions

What notes are in Baug on guitar?

B, D♯ and F𝄪. In the x-2-1-0-0-3 shape the strings play B (A string), D♯ (D string), F𝄪 (G string, open), B (B string, open) and F𝄪 (high E string), so B and F𝄪 are doubled.

What's the easiest way to play Baug on guitar?

x-2-1-0-0-3, the first shape on this page. No barre: some strings ring open.

Is Baug a barre chord on guitar?

Not the usual shape: x-2-1-0-0-3 needs no barre.

Which string does Baug start on?

In the x-2-1-0-0-3 shape the lowest string you play is the A string at the 2nd fret, which is B, the root. Skip the low E string.

Checked automatically: no shape here plays a note outside Baug. Updated September 2026.