The 12 Bar Blues is simply a chord progression. It is a I - IV - V progression. This progression is often used in jam sessions. Most of the time, musicians use Dominant Seventh Chords for this progression. So for the key of G you would use G7, C7, and D7.
The Reason it's 12 Bar Blues is because it is played over 12 bars. So let me show you the structure of the 12 Bar Blues.
Figure 1
Figure 2 |
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Now, Notice that the first 4 bars are G7. That is the Traditional way to play the first 4 bars. You might want to try the Modern method by substituting the IV chord into the 2nd bar. (as shown on the chart) I would advise you not to try the Modern version until you know the Traditional version.
You may notice that the last bar on the chart (turnaround bar) has two different chords in it like the second bar does. The chord shown on top of the bar (the V chord) is the chord you play if you are going to repeat the 12 bar blues back to the beginning. You use the I chord if you are ending the song.
When you play the 12 Bar Blues, you can't just go out there and play one chord per bar for 4 beats. You have to create a rhythm, shuffle, swing, or whatever brings the blues out.
The sound files below are a traditional 12 bar blues in the key of G.
| 12 Bar Blues Sounds |
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