Bbaug7

General info

Full name

Bb Augmented 7th

Symbol

Bbaug7

Root

Bb

Quality

Augmented 7th

Chord notes

Functions & resolutions

Stability / tension

High tension — requires resolution

Most common resolutions

EbEb MajorCmC Minor

Unstable degrees

3D

4Eb

resolves up to the resolution tonic

#5Gb

6G

resolves up to the tonic 3rd

6G

b7Ab

resolves down to the tonic 3rd

Main resolution

Bbaug7source

EbEb Major

Dominant 7th Bb7 naturally resolves up a 4th to Eb. It is the tritone between the chord's 3rd and 7th that creates this pull.

Other resolutions

Bbaug7source

Deceptive resolution

CmC Minor

Instead of the tonic, the dominant resolves to the vi degree. Creates surprise and is often used to extend a musical phrase.

Bbaug7source

Modal resolution

AbAb Major

In rock and blues, the dominant often moves to bVII or IV instead of the tonic, creating a modal flavor.

Bbaug7source

Jazz reharmonization

E7E Dominant 7

Tritone substitution: Bb7 can be replaced by E7 (a tritone away). Both chords share the same tritone between the 3rd and 7th, resolving to the same tonic.

Bbaug7source

Functional resolution

Bbsus4Bb Sus4

The dominant can resolve beyond the tonic: moving to IV (subdominant) or to a suspension (sus4) are common alternatives in pop and folk music.

Substitutions

Tritone substitution

E7E Dominant 7

Features

Character

Dominant, with an augmented 5th

Characteristic interval

Augmented 5th (#5)

Description

The major 3rd and minor 7th preserve dominant structure, while #5 replaces the perfect 5th and intensifies semitone voice leading into the next chord.

Application

• Altered dominant V
• Dominant resolution to major or minor
• Jazz voice leading

Voicing & structure

Harmony

Compatible scales

All chord tones are contained in these scales — use them for improvisation.