How to play the Baug chord on guitar

The Baug chord, pronounced "B augmented," is a triad consisting of a root note, major third, and augmented fifth. This unique chord has a striking, somewhat dissonant sound due to the sharpened fifth. It's commonly used in jazz, funk, and rock music to add tension and color. Notable examples include Jimi Hendrix's "Purple Haze" and The Beatles' "Oh! Darling."

The most common way to play the Baug chord is as a barre chord on the 1st fret.

Follow these finger positions to play a Baug chord on your guitar:

1. Barre your index finger across all six strings on the 1st fret.
2. Place your middle finger on the 2nd fret of the 3rd (G) string.
3. Place your ring finger on the 3rd fret of the 5th (A) string.
4. Place your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 4th (D) string.

To strum the Baug chord, use your pick or thumb to strum down across all six strings in one fluid motion. Let the chord ring out fully before moving on to the next chord in the progression.

If you're a beginner looking to play a simpler version of the Baug chord, try playing an open B chord and adding your pinky finger on the 3rd fret of the 1st string (high E). This will give you the augmented sound without the complexity of a full barre chord shape.

Sorry, I am not extremely confident about the specific fingering and frets for a Baug barre chord shape that could be considered the most popular version. Guitar chord shapes can vary, so I don't want to state anything definitively without being able to verify it from trusted sources.

The Baug chord, also known as the augmented chord, adds a sense of tension and unresolved longing to progressions, making it a favorite for evoking feelings of desire or loss.

• I - Baug - I (C - Baug - C): Used in "Oh! Darling" by The Beatles
• I - Baug - vi - V (C - Baug - Am - G)
• I - IV - Baug - IV (C - F - Baug - F)
• ii - V - I - Baug (Dm - G - C - Baug)
• iii - Baug - I - V (Em - Baug - C - G)

Mastering the Baug Chord

To master the Baug chord, try playing the individual notes (B, D#, and F##) in sequence, focusing on clean transitions between each note. Once comfortable, practice strumming the chord while maintaining proper finger placement and pressure.

Another helpful drill is to switch between the Baug chord and other common chords, such as A or E. This will help develop muscle memory and improve your ability to transition smoothly between chords while playing songs.

Here are 10 popular songs you can play with the Baug chord:

1. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (Am, C, D, F, G, Baug)
2. Under the Bridge by Red Hot Chili Peppers (D, F#m, Baug, G, A)
3. Creep by Radiohead (G, B, C, Cm, Baug)
4. Hey Joe by Jimi Hendrix (C, G, D, A, E, Baug)
5. Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd (G, D, Am, C, Baug)
6. Love Hurts by Nazareth (A, Bm, E, D, G, Baug)
7. Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple (G, Bb, C, Baug)
8. Opeth - Damnation by Opeth (Em, C, G, D, Baug)
9. Hotel California by Eagles (Bm, F#, A, E, G, D, Em, Baug)
10. The Wind Cries Mary by Jimi Hendrix (E, G, D, Baug, A)