Twelve Bar Blues Progression
The twelve bar Blues progression is the most common chord sequence used in Blues. There are many variations of this progression. The following example consists of four bars of the I chord, two bars of the IV chord, two bars of the I chord, one of the V chord, one bar of the IV chord and two bars of the I chord.
To play the previous progression in the key of A, substitute the symbols I, IV, and V with the three basic chords in the key of A (A, D and E), as shown in the table on the previous page.
To play the first example, use basic chords and use the suggested rhythm pattern. After playing the 12 bars, finish with one strum of the first chord (A).
Rhythm Pattern
To play the same progression in the key of C, substitute the symbols I, IV and V with the three basic chords in the key of C (C, F and G), as shown in the table on the previous page.
Rhythm Pattern
Variations on the Twelve Bar Blues Progression
As mentioned previously there are many variations of the 12 Bar Blues progression. The first of these variations inserts the V chord in the 12th bar. Try the following example in the key of A.
Rhythm Pattern
Another variation is to insert the IV chord in bar 2 before returning to the I chord in bar 3. Example 10 is in the key of C. Don’t forget to finish with one strum of the first chord (C).
Rhythm Pattern
Another common variation on the 12 Bar Blues progression is to substitute the major chord with a seventh chord. This definitely helps provide a more "bluesy" sound to the progression. The following example makes use of the seventh chord. This time the key chosen is E.
Rhythm Pattern
Eight Bar Blues Progression
Another common Blues progression is the eight bar Blues progression. A variation of this sequence, shown next, includes two bars of the I chord, two bars of the IV chord, one bar of the I chord, one bar of the V chord and two bars of the I chord.
The previous eight bar Blues progression is played in the key of A as follows.
Rhythm Pattern
As with the 12 Bar Blues progression there are several variations on the 8 bar blues progression, some of which will appear throughout the book.
