The 12-Bar Blues
Standard 12-bar blues in E: | E7 | E7 | E7 | E7 | (bars 1-4: I chord) | A7 | A7 | E7 | E7 | (bars 5-8: IV then I) | B7 | A7 | E7 | B7 | (bars 9-12: V-IV-I-V turnaround)
12-Bar Blues in E
E7E7A7E7B7A7E7B7
The foundation of all blues music. Strum and feel the form.
Quick-Change Blues
A variation that moves to the IV chord in bar 2:
| A7 | D7 | A7 | A7 | | D7 | D7 | A7 | A7 | | E7 | D7 | A7 | E7 |
Quick-Change Blues in A
A7D7A7A7D7D7A7E7
Notice the IV chord appears in bar 2 for an earlier harmonic change.
Minor Blues
Minor blues in Am: | Am | Am | Am | Am | | Dm | Dm | Am | Am | | F | E7 | Am | E7 |
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
E
E
G
A
A#
B
D
E
B
B
D
E
G
A
A#
B
G
G
A
A#
B
D
E
G
D
D
E
G
A
A#
B
D
A
A
A#
B
D
E
G
A
E
E
G
A
A#
B
D
E
This scale works over the entire 12-bar blues in E.
Open in full appNext Steps
Learn to improvise over blues and add turnarounds for authentic endings.