The Sound of Blues
Blues Fact: 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
Essential Blues Guitar Chords
These chords form the foundation of blues music.
Essential Blues Progressions
#1: Classic 12-Bar Blues
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:
🎵 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
A variation where the IV chord appears in bar 2. This creates more harmonic movement and is common in Chicago blues.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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)
Uses minor chords instead of dominant 7ths, creating a darker, more melancholic sound. Popular in blues ballads.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
A shorter, more compact blues form. Common in early blues and boogie-woogie piano styles.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
A 4-bar pattern used to transition back to the beginning of a blues progression. Essential for blues rhythm playing.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
12-bar blues in 6/8 time signature, creating a different rhythmic feel. Common in ballads and slow blues.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
Sophisticated blues with jazz chord substitutions. Uses ii-V movements and diminished chords for harmonic complexity.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
Simple 8-bar progression using major chords instead of 7ths. Common in country blues and folk blues.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
Standard 12-bar blues played with a shuffle rhythm. The swing feel is crucial to the authentic blues sound.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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
Driving rhythm pattern with walking bass lines. Foundation of boogie-woogie piano adapted for guitar.
🎸 Standard Tuning:
🎵 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. Learn A7, D7, and E7 chord shapes
- 2. Practice basic 12-bar blues in A major
- 3. Focus on clean chord changes
- 4. Use straight rhythm (easier)
- 5. Play along with slow blues tracks
📅 Week 3-4: Rhythm
Timeframe: 2 weeks
Focus: Shuffle rhythm and quick changes
Goals:
- 1. Introduce shuffle rhythm
- 2. Practice with metronome
- 3. Add quick change blues
- 4. Learn simple turnarounds
- 5. Play with backing tracks
📅 Month 2: Expansion
Timeframe: 4 weeks
Focus: Multiple keys and forms
Goals:
- 1. Learn blues in other keys (E, G, C)
- 2. Practice 8-bar blues forms
- 3. Add minor blues progressions
- 4. Experiment with different rhythms
- 5. Start learning blues songs
📅 Month 3+: Advanced
Timeframe: Ongoing
Focus: Jazz blues and complex forms
Goals:
- 1. Jazz blues with substitutions
- 2. Complex turnarounds
- 3. Slow blues in 6/8 time
- 4. Boogie woogie patterns
- 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.