Guitar · Level 3 · Beginner

The 12-bar blues on Guitar

I–IV–I–V–IV–I in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

The 12-bar blues uses just I, IV and V in a fixed pattern that rock, jazz and soul musicians all share. Knowing the form lets you jam with anyone.

Choose a key

C majorC · C · C · CD♭ majorD♭ · D♭ · D♭ · D♭D majorD · D · D · DE♭ majorE♭ · E♭ · E♭ · E♭E majorE · E · E · EF majorF · F · F · FF♯ majorF♯ · F♯ · F♯ · F♯G majorG · G · G · GA♭ majorA♭ · A♭ · A♭ · A♭A majorA · A · A · AB♭ majorB♭ · B♭ · B♭ · B♭B majorB · B · B · B

Listen first: C major

C

C major

Notes: C · E · G

×EADGBE

F

F major

Notes: F · A · C

EADGBE

G

G major

Notes: G · B · D

EADGBE
1
C
2
C
3
C
4
C
5
F
6
F
7
C
8
C
9
G
10
F
11
C
12
G

Why it works

Each four-bar line has a job: establish home, move away to IV, then cadence through V and IV back to I.

On another instrument

The 12-bar blues on Piano →The 12-bar blues on Ukulele →The 12-bar blues on Mandolin →The 12-bar blues on Banjo →The 12-bar blues on Violin →The 12-bar blues on Flute →

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