B flat augmented arpeggio on piano
The B flat augmented arpeggio (B♭+) has 3 notes: B♭, D, F♯ (B flat, D, and F sharp), degrees 1, 3, ♯5 of the chord. It uses 2 black keys: B♭, F♯.
- B♭ B flat 1
- D 3
- F♯ F sharp ♯5
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
- F♯
- 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 flat augmented chord (B♭+) The chord on the keyboard, with its inversions
- B flat whole-tone scale The scale to practice with it: it has every note of the arpeggio plus the ones in between.
Other B flat scales with every note of the arpeggio
More B flat arpeggios
- Major (B♭)
- Minor (B♭m)
- Seventh (B♭7)
- Major seventh (B♭7M)
- Minor seventh (B♭m7)
- Half-diminished (B♭m7(♭5))
- Diminished seventh (B♭°7)
- Augmented (B♭+)
The augmented arpeggio in other keys
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of the B flat augmented arpeggio?
The B flat augmented arpeggio (B♭+) has the notes B flat, D, and F sharp: degrees 1, 3, ♯5 of the chord.
How do you play the B flat augmented arpeggio on piano?
Start on B flat and go up through the keys B♭, D, F♯ to the B flat above; for two octaves, repeat the pattern one octave higher. It uses 2 black keys: B♭, F♯.
Which scale goes with the B flat augmented arpeggio?
The B flat whole-tone scale, which has every note of the arpeggio. These also have all of them: B flat Phrygian dominant scale.