On Thursday 28th April 2022, we revisit a theme from 2020, a common chord progression based on three chords, so named “twelve bar blues.”
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Twelve Bar Blues Formula
A 12 bar blues song follows a pattern (a formula). Using just three chords from a major key, you can accompany the song by playing I in the first four measures (a.k.a. bars), as shown above. In the key of C major, I is the C major chord. IV is the F major chord. V is G major.
For variety, you can replace the 12th bar with a V7, if it’s not the end of the song. This makes the song go to the next verse. You can also replace other chords with their 7th, e.g. I becomes I7. C becomes C7 in the key of C.
Use the easy look-up table below to find the I, IV, and V in any common key. Remember, you can substitute I7 for I, IV7 for IV, and V7 for V for any or all 12 bars.
The Line-Up
- Roll Over Beethoven in A [3] – Bruce (MI) (3-page PDF)
- Hesitation Blues in C/Am [6] – Steve (CA) (1-page PDF)
- San Francisco Bay Blues in C [13] – Laura (PR) (2-page PDF)
- The New Hula Blues in F [4] – Paul (GA) (3-page PDF)
Can’t think of any 12-bar blues? Check out this compilation. And here are more:
- Ballad of John and Yoko, The
- Be Bop a Lula
- Birthday
- Black Magic Woman
- Can’t Buy Me Love
- Day Tripper
- Don’t Pass Me Buy
- For You Blue
- Got My Mojo Working
- Jailhouse Rock
- Kansas City
- Long Tall Sally
- Memphis Tennessee
- Mustang Sally
- Roll Over Beethoven
- Sweet Home Chicago
- Traveling Band
- Tutti Frutti
- Why Don’t We Do It In The Road
Beatles fan? Here’s a short history and analysis of Beatles’ 12-bar blues.
Occasionally we ask you to participate in a poll in Zoom, here was today’s results.
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