B augmented arpeggio on piano
The B augmented arpeggio (B+) has 3 notes: B, D♯, Fx (B, D sharp, and F double sharp), degrees 1, 3, ♯5 of the chord. It uses 1 black key: D♯.
- B 1
- D♯ D sharp 3
- Fx F double sharp ♯5
Fx is the correct spelling in the chord formula; on the instrument it is the same note as G.
The lit keys are the notes of the arpeggio, with the name and the degree; the root (B) has the strongest color. Tap a key to hear it; Listen plays up and down. The small dot marks middle C (C4).
Fingering
This page does not show a fingering. In piano methods the arpeggio fingering changes with the key (black keys move the thumb crossing) and with the hand, and no single rule covers every arpeggio here. Follow the one in your method book or from your teacher.
Formula
- B
- 4
- D♯
- 4
- Fx
- 4
- B
Degrees: 1 · 3 · ♯5 (root, major third, augmented fifth). Distance between the notes: 4 – 4 – 4 semitones, counting the step back to the upper root.
About the augmented chord
The augmented chord raises the fifth and sounds like a "floating", dreamy expectation. It appears as a passing chord between I and IV (C → C+ → F) or in intros of old ballads. It is symmetrical: it repeats every 4 frets, so one shape serves three different chords.
The chord and the scale
- B augmented chord (B+) The chord on the keyboard, with its inversions
- B whole-tone scale The scale to practice with it: it has every note of the arpeggio plus the ones in between.
Other B scales with every note of the arpeggio
More B arpeggios
- Major (B)
- Minor (Bm)
- Seventh (B7)
- Major seventh (B7M)
- Minor seventh (Bm7)
- Half-diminished (Bm7(♭5))
- Diminished seventh (B°7)
- Augmented (B+)
The augmented arpeggio in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B augmented arpeggio?
The B augmented arpeggio (B+) has the notes B, D sharp, and F double sharp: degrees 1, 3, ♯5 of the chord.
How do you play the B augmented arpeggio on piano?
Start on B and go up through the keys B, D♯, Fx to the B above; for two octaves, repeat the pattern one octave higher. It uses 1 black key: D♯.
Which scale goes with the B augmented arpeggio?
The B whole-tone scale, which has every note of the arpeggio. These also have all of them: B Phrygian dominant scale.