Hide these ads by signing up and logging in!
12 Bar Blues and Variations
Written by Bryan Helmig   
Friday, 29 February 2008
 

The iconic 12 bar blues and how to spice it up.

Pop-up instructional video to the left.

Most of us know the common 12 bar blues. We know how it relies on a simple three chord I, IV, and V progression. It works wonderful and we love it but sometimes we would like some variety.  Here is a quick overview of a couple common but effective modifications. 

First let's cover the basics:

Here is a progression in G with no frills.

simple blues progression

That's as simple as they get. While you don't need it, the roman numeral chord labeling allows you to work in any key as explained in my Three Vital Musical Concepts lesson. Moving on.

The standard blues progression

This one is the bread and butter of 90% of blues songs. It's simple and effective also.

standard blues progression

The chord changes create extra movement without becoming too complicated. The turn around (ending the progression on the V chord or D in this key) is a staple of blues everywhere. Moving on.


Just paying the bills:

Jazz big band changes

Sometimes you want the blues to sound a little more sophisticated than usual. These changes create a lot of movement are really fun to play.

big band blues progression

These changes work best over a swing feel instead of a rock or shuffle approach.

Pick your favorite changes and combine

The blues is all about improvisation. You could try sitting on the I7 chord (or G7 in the key of G) for 8 measures until you get to the V and VI (or D7 and C7 in the key of G) to build some tension. You could combine the Jazz big band changes with blues-rock. Who knows, maybe you'll come up with the next popular style. The sky is the limit.

This site is FREE! If you enjoyed it, consider supporting the site by donating or by logging in to hide the ads.mfBeer Joomla! Plugin



Users' Comments (5)
Posted by cpac, on 06-07-2008 04:11,

1. question about the chords

i am just learning the guitar and the blues, and i read the G7, C7, D7, G7 chords in the progression, but the fingerings for the chords are different when i look them up on the internet. where do u get your chords from or what is the fingering for them?
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Mr. Kevin Holden, on 03-11-2008 01:34,

2. chords

Hi hope you can help, have been trying to find the chords you are playing but none of them look the same shape as the ones you are playing, how do I get them, not even in variations. 
Thanks kev
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by Dave, on 15-11-2008 17:09,

3. ugghhh

Buy a chord book, whinging scabs
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Posted by dpgblues, on 03-01-2009 19:45,

4. chords

Download Advanced Fret Pro. It wil give you chords played in all ways barr and up the neck. Its a great tool
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...
» See all 1 replie(s)

Posted by Axeddicted, on 06-01-2009 08:52,

5. Huh

Where can we get it at? Im a beginer too and trying to soak up as much knowledge as possible!
 
» Report this comment to administrator
» Reply to this comment...

Powered by mXcomment 1.0.7 © 2007-2008 from visualclinic.fr