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 previous table. Play the first example, using basic chords and a simple 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 previous table.
As mentioned before there are variations of the 12 Bar Blues progression. The first of these variations, this example, inserts the V chord in the 12th bar.
Another variation is to insert the IV chord in bar 2 before returning to the I chord in bar 3. This example is in the key of C.
Seventh chords may also be added to help provide a more "bluesy" sound. The following example makes use of seventh chords. This time the key chosen is E.
