Blues You Can Use!

Many hundreds of songs have been written using an easy format known as the 12-Bar Blues. Jimi Hendrix, Janice Joplin, Eric Clapton, B.B. King, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles, are only a few of the famous names that have used this structure to create hit songs. So you can see that it's not something to be taken too lightly! If you have any desire at all to play rock n' roll, or lead guitar, then you definitely should gain an appreciation for, and an understanding of, the 12-bar blues. But what does it mean exactly? It's really quite simple...

The term "12-Bar" is referring to the number of measures in a particular song or chord sequence. In music, a measure (or bar) is the space between two vertical (bar) lines on a staff. Note values (beats) are measured to create a specific rhythm which is then indicated by a Time Signature such as 4/4 or 3/4, etc.

So the 12-bar Blues is basically a chord progression comprised of 12 measures. The cool thing is that the chord sequence (I, IV, V) is virtually always the same, with only a few minor variations occasionally. This makes it fairly easy to learn for most people, because it sounds so familiar. The simple structure also provides a great format for practicing chords, licks, and riffs, not to mention bass and lead guitar runs.

So, how do you get started? Well, I've created a 12 bar blues chord progression in the Key of E for you to practice. You will notice that you strum E for the first four measures, then A for two measures and then back to E for two measures. Next you play one measure each of B7, A, E and B7. That completes the 12 bars! Return to the beginning to play the chord progression again. When you are ready to stop, just strum E after the 12th measure and count to four. Remember that the arrows indicating the strum pattern are pointing in the direction of the strings.

DOWN = UP =

Here is a pdf file I created for you to try:

EASY 12 BAR BLUES CHORD PROGRESSION.