Essential Blues Guitar Chord Progressions

Master the 10 chord progressions that built the blues - From Robert Johnson to B.B. King

🎵 Dominant 7th Chords | 12-Bar Structure | Emotional Expression | Authentic Sound

The Sound of Blues

Blues Fact: Master the 10 chord progressions that built the blues - From Robert Johnson to B.B. King

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Dominant 7th Chords

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12-Bar Structure

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Emotional Expression

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Authentic Sound

Essential Blues Guitar Chords

These chords form the foundation of blues music.

Essential Blues Progressions

#1: Classic 12-Bar Blues

BeginnerKey of A

The foundation of blues music. This 12-bar pattern is used in thousands of blues songs and forms the basis for rock 'n' roll.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

A7
A7
A7
A7
D7
D7
A7
A7
E7
D7
A7
E7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Sweet Home Chicago" - Robert Johnson
  • "Crossroads" - Eric Clapton
  • "Pride and Joy" - Stevie Ray Vaughan

💡 Tips:

  • • Count the bars carefully - it's easy to get lost at first
  • • Use dominant 7th chords for authentic blues sound
  • • Practice with a shuffle rhythm
  • • Listen to classic blues recordings for timing

#2: Quick Change Blues

BeginnerKey of E

A variation where the IV chord appears in bar 2. This creates more harmonic movement and is common in Chicago blues.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

E7
A7
E7
E7
A7
A7
E7
E7
B7
A7
E7
B7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Stormy Monday" - T-Bone Walker
  • "The Thrill Is Gone" - B.B. King
  • "Born Under a Bad Sign" - Albert King

💡 Tips:

  • • The A7 in bar 2 creates immediate movement
  • • Common in urban blues styles
  • • Practice the quick change slowly first
  • • Listen for the smoother harmonic flow

#3: Minor Blues (12-Bar)

IntermediateKey of Am

Uses minor chords instead of dominant 7ths, creating a darker, more melancholic sound. Popular in blues ballads.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Am
Am
Am
Am
Dm
Dm
Am
Am
Em
Dm
Am
Em

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "The House of the Rising Sun" - The Animals
  • "Summertime" - George Gershwin
  • "Black Magic Woman" - Santana

💡 Tips:

  • • Creates a sadder, more introspective mood
  • • Try using minor 7th chords for jazz flavor
  • • Works great for ballads and slow blues
  • • Experiment with fingerpicking patterns

#4: 8-Bar Blues

BeginnerKey of C

A shorter, more compact blues form. Common in early blues and boogie-woogie piano styles.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

C7
C7
F7
F7
C7
C7
G7
F7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Sitting on Top of the World" - Mississippi Sheiks
  • "Key to the Highway" - Big Joe Williams
  • "Trouble in Mind" - Bertha 'Chippie' Hill

💡 Tips:

  • • Shorter form makes it easier to memorize
  • • Good for beginners learning blues structure
  • • Often used in country blues
  • • Try different rhythmic feels

#5: Blues Turnaround

IntermediateKey of G

A 4-bar pattern used to transition back to the beginning of a blues progression. Essential for blues rhythm playing.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

G7
E7
Am7
D7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Sweet Sixteen" - B.B. King
  • "Further On Up the Road" - Bobby Bland
  • "Got My Mojo Working" - Muddy Waters

💡 Tips:

  • • Use chromatic bass lines for movement
  • • Practice different turnaround variations
  • • Essential for jamming with other musicians
  • • Creates smooth transitions between verses

#6: Slow Blues in 6/8

IntermediateKey of Bb

12-bar blues in 6/8 time signature, creating a different rhythmic feel. Common in ballads and slow blues.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

Bb7
Bb7
Bb7
Bb7
Eb7
Eb7
Bb7
Bb7
F7
Eb7
Bb7
F7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Since I've Been Loving You" - Led Zeppelin
  • "Red House" - Jimi Hendrix
  • "The Sky Is Crying" - Stevie Ray Vaughan

💡 Tips:

  • • Count in groups of 6 instead of 4
  • • Creates a triplet feel naturally
  • • Perfect for emotional, slow blues
  • • Use fingerpicking for intimate feel

#7: Jazz Blues

AdvancedKey of F

Sophisticated blues with jazz chord substitutions. Uses ii-V movements and diminished chords for harmonic complexity.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

F7
Bb7
F7
Cm7-F7
Bb7
Bdim7
F7
D7
Gm7
C7
F7-D7
Gm7-C7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Bag's Groove" - Milt Jackson
  • "Straight No Chaser" - Thelonious Monk
  • "Blue Monk" - Thelonious Monk

💡 Tips:

  • • Learn basic jazz chord voicings first
  • • Practice ii-V-I progressions separately
  • • Use jazz comping rhythms
  • • Study jazz standards for context

#8: Country Blues Progression

BeginnerKey of D

Simple 8-bar progression using major chords instead of 7ths. Common in country blues and folk blues.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

D
D
G
D
D
D
A
D

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Dust My Broom" - Robert Johnson
  • "Me and the Devil Blues" - Robert Johnson
  • "When the Levee Breaks" - Led Zeppelin

💡 Tips:

  • • Use fingerpicking patterns
  • • Try alternating bass notes
  • • Works great with slide guitar
  • • Focus on rhythmic variations

#9: Shuffle Blues

IntermediateKey of E

Standard 12-bar blues played with a shuffle rhythm. The swing feel is crucial to the authentic blues sound.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

E7
E7
E7
E7
A7
A7
E7
E7
B7
A7
E7
B7

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Messin' with the Kid" - Junior Wells
  • "Mannish Boy" - Muddy Waters
  • "Roadhouse Blues" - The Doors

💡 Tips:

  • • Master the shuffle rhythm first
  • • Use palm muting for tight sound
  • • Practice with a metronome in swing feel
  • • Listen to Chicago blues for inspiration

#10: Boogie Woogie Pattern

AdvancedKey of G

Driving rhythm pattern with walking bass lines. Foundation of boogie-woogie piano adapted for guitar.

🎸 Standard Tuning:

G
G
G
G
C
C
G
G
D
C
G
D

🎵 Famous Songs:

  • "Boogie Chillen" - John Lee Hooker
  • "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" - George Thorogood
  • "La Grange" - ZZ Top

💡 Tips:

  • • Focus on the driving rhythm
  • • Use alternating bass notes
  • • Keep steady 8th note feel
  • • Add hammer-ons for rhythmic interest

Essential Blues Guitar Techniques

🎵 Shuffle Rhythm

Long-Short-Long-Short pattern creating the classic blues swing feel.

Benefits:

  • • Most common blues rhythm
  • • Creates the 'swing' feel
  • • Essential for authentic blues sound
  • • Practice with metronome in triplet feel

Tips:

  • • Count '1-trip-let, 2-trip-let'
  • • Listen to classic blues recordings
  • • Start slow and gradually increase tempo
  • • Feel the groove, don't just count

🎸 Straight Rhythm

Even eighth notes creating a more modern blues and rock feel.

Benefits:

  • • More modern blues and rock feel
  • • Easier for beginners
  • • Common in electric blues
  • • Good starting point for learning

Tips:

  • • Count '1-and-2-and'
  • • Practice with a metronome
  • • Focus on consistency
  • • Gradually add swing feel later

🎼 Slow Blues (6/8)

Six beats per bar creating emotional, ballad-like atmosphere.

Benefits:

  • • Creates emotional, ballad feel
  • • Natural triplet subdivision
  • • Perfect for fingerpicking
  • • Used in blues ballads

Tips:

  • • Count '1-2-3-4-5-6'
  • • Think in groups of three
  • • Practice with fingerpicking patterns
  • • Listen to slow blues masters

Blues Guitar Practice Plan

📅 Week 1-2: Foundation

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Focus: Basic dominant 7th chords and 12-bar structure

Goals:

  1. 1. Learn A7, D7, and E7 chord shapes
  2. 2. Practice basic 12-bar blues in A major
  3. 3. Focus on clean chord changes
  4. 4. Use straight rhythm (easier)
  5. 5. Play along with slow blues tracks

📅 Week 3-4: Rhythm

Timeframe: 2 weeks

Focus: Shuffle rhythm and quick changes

Goals:

  1. 1. Introduce shuffle rhythm
  2. 2. Practice with metronome
  3. 3. Add quick change blues
  4. 4. Learn simple turnarounds
  5. 5. Play with backing tracks

📅 Month 2: Expansion

Timeframe: 4 weeks

Focus: Multiple keys and forms

Goals:

  1. 1. Learn blues in other keys (E, G, C)
  2. 2. Practice 8-bar blues forms
  3. 3. Add minor blues progressions
  4. 4. Experiment with different rhythms
  5. 5. Start learning blues songs

📅 Month 3+: Advanced

Timeframe: Ongoing

Focus: Jazz blues and complex forms

Goals:

  1. 1. Jazz blues with substitutions
  2. 2. Complex turnarounds
  3. 3. Slow blues in 6/8 time
  4. 4. Boogie woogie patterns
  5. 5. Jam with other musicians

Ready to Play Blues?

Start with the essential chords and progressions above. Every blues legend began with these same basics.