How to play the B♭ augmented triad on bass
The B♭ augmented triad has 3 notes: B♭, D and F♯. Two major 3rds stacked. It divides the octave evenly, so the same shape repeats every four frets.
Interval steps: M3 M3 M3. Formula: 1 3 ♯5.
The root, B♭, is on the 6th fret of the E string and the 1st fret of the A string. On a five-string bass it is also on the 11th fret of the low B string.
B♭ Augmented Triad tab: root on the E string
Start on the 6th fret of the E string with your fourth finger. The shape covers frets 3 to 6 without moving your hand.
G|-------3-| D|-----4---| A|---5-----| E|-6-------|
Notes: B♭ D F♯ B♭
Fingers: 4 3 2 1
B♭ Augmented Triad tab: root on the A string
Start on the 1st fret of the A string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 1 to 4 without moving your hand.
G|-------3-| D|---0-4---| A|-1-------| E|---------|
Notes: B♭ D F♯ B♭
Fingers: 1 open 4 3
Two octaves from the E string
Start on the 6th fret of the E string with your first finger. The shape covers frets 6 to 15 with 1 position shift and 2 one-fret stretches.
G|---------------11-15-| D|------------12-------| A|---------13----------| E|-6-10-14-------------|
Notes: B♭ D F♯ B♭ D F♯ B♭
Fingers: 1 4 4 3 2 1 4
On a 5-string bass: root on the B string
Start on the 11th fret of the B string with your fourth finger. The shape covers frets 8 to 11 without moving your hand.
G|-----------| D|---------8-| A|-------9---| E|----10-----| B|-11--------|
Notes: B♭ D F♯ B♭
Fingers: 4 3 2 1
Notes and intervals
| Degree | Note | Interval | Frets above the root |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | B♭ | Root | 0 |
| 3 | D | Major 3rd | 4 |
| ♯5 | F♯ | Augmented 5th | 8 |
When to use it
Augmented chords and passing chords between I and IV. Slide the whole shape up four frets and you get the same three notes again.
How to practise it
Start with the metronome at 60 BPM in 8th notes, ascending and descending, until you can play it without looking. Raise the tempo 5 BPM at a time with the speed builder, then switch on memory mode so the tab hides after the first loop. Earn bronze for playing it through, silver at 4 notes a second, and gold at that speed from memory.
The augmented triad in every key
Printable chart of all 12 keys: PDF · print page · every pattern in one PDF