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12-bar blues chords

The most fundamental way to play chords in the style in blues is to adopt a 12-bar structure. A 12-bar blues structure often consist of only three chords (I, IV and V). Examples of chords to use and other instructions are presented below.

See also: The 12-bar Blues ebook (free ebook in PDF format)

12-bar blues in E

The first package with typical blues chords.

The second package with alternative blues chords.

The third package with alternative movable 3-strings chords.

Comment

2nd package: These are very common chords for using together in blues in the key of E. The next step when you have become comfortable is try to hammer-on on the third string for the E chord plus shifting between A7 and XX2222.

3rd package: Here is a way to play blues with one movable shape. The journey goes from the 2nd via the 7th and 9th frets in which the bass and root note and is the same. These particular chords can be seen as voicings with the 5th omitted. Note that the chords are based on a partial E7 shape (022130). So, it's also possible to play A7 as X7768X and B7 as X998 10 X, or with E as pedal note (07768X / 0998 10 X).

To avoid the long jump back to 1st position, you could choose to play the E7 (I) chord as XX675X.

12-bar Blues in E example

Below is one way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression. Start from top left and play four beats per measure.

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

You can play the E Pentatonic minor blues scale in 1st position over the chords. This is how you count to avoid getting lost:

1, 2, 3, 4	2, 2, 3, 4	3, 2, 3, 4	4, 2, 3, 4
5, 2, 3, 4	6, 2, 3, 4	7, 2, 3, 4	8, 2, 3, 4
9, 2, 3, 4	10, 2, 3, 4	11, 2, 3, 4	12, 2, 3, 4

Learn from video

Jam track

Here is a jam track to practice with. The track includes a 12-bar blues in E that involves only bass and drums. The 12-bar structure is played three times. Try to listen for the chord changes. For lead and solo playing see the blues scale.

12-bar blues in A

For guitarists, A is together with E the most common keys for 12-bar blues.

12-bar Blues in A example

One way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression.

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

Learn from video: Link to video with diagrams and jam track

For soloing, you can play the A Pentatonic minor blues scale over the chords.

Jam track

Here is a jam track to practice with. The track includes a 12-bar blues in A that involves only bass and drums. The 12-bar structure is played three times.

12-bar blues in C

A package with movable 3-strings chords.

Comment

The chords are based on a partial C7 shape (of course, the whole shape can also be used for I, IV and V). The chords have the 3rd omitted. You can choose to decrease the movement by play C7 as X X 10 9 11 X instead.

12-bar Blues in C example

One way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression.

C7	C7	C7	C7
F7	F7	C7	C7
G7	F7	C7	C7

You could play the C Pentatonic minor blues scale in 3rd position over the chords.

A turnaround can be added in the last bars:

12-bar blues in D

A package with two different chord shapes.

Comments

The chords are based on C7 and D7 shapes. The root is the bass note in both cases.

12-bar Blues in D example

One way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression.

D7	D7	D7	D7
G7	G7	D7	D7
A7	G7	D7	D7

The circle of fifths can be used as a turnaround chord sequence as F#7 - B7 - E7 - A7 - D.

You could play the D Pentatonic minor blues scale in 3rd position over the chords.

12-bar blues in Cm

Including four chords whereas one can be seen as a passing chord.

Comments

All chords are played with bass and root notes on the 5th string.

12-bar Blues in Cm example

One way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression with an altered 7#9 chord for the V chord and also a half bar with a #V7 substitution.

Cm7	Cm7	Cm7	Cm7
Fm7	Fm7	Cm7	Cm7
G7#9	Ab9 G7#9	Cm7	Cm7

You could play the C Pentatonic minor blues scale over the chords.

12-bar blues in Gm

Including four chords with D7 as the non-diatonic.

Comments

There are others choices for shapes and these are just one option.

12-bar Blues in Gm example

One way to play the chords in a 12-bar progression with a VImaj7 in the 9th bar and a dominant V chord as well.

Gm7	Gm7	Gm7	Gm7
Cm7	Cm7	Gm7	Gm7
Ebmaj7	D7	Gm7	Ebmaj7

You could play the G Pentatonic minor blues scale over the chords. Eb can be added over Cm7 and Ebmaj7 and A from G natural minor can be added over D7.

See blues progressions for more 12-bar Blues suggestions.

Go to next article in the course: Minor blues chords.

Go back to the main section of Blues guitar.

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