Mandolin · Level 9 · Expert

The jazz blues on Mandolin

I7–IV7–I7–VI7–ii7–V7 in all 12 keys.

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THE SHORT ANSWER

The jazz blues dresses the 12-bar form with ii–Vs, a passing diminished chord and a turnaround. It is the first form most jazz players learn to solo over.

Choose a key

C majorC7 · F7 · C7 · C7D♭ majorD♭7 · G♭7 · D♭7 · D♭7D majorD7 · G7 · D7 · D7E♭ majorE♭7 · A♭7 · E♭7 · E♭7E majorE7 · A7 · E7 · E7F majorF7 · B♭7 · F7 · F7F♯ majorF♯7 · B7 · F♯7 · F♯7G majorG7 · C7 · G7 · G7A♭ majorA♭7 · D♭7 · A♭7 · A♭7A majorA7 · D7 · A7 · A7B♭ majorB♭7 · E♭7 · B♭7 · B♭7B majorB7 · E7 · B7 · B7

Listen first: C major

C7

C dominant seventh

Notes: C · E · G · B♭

GDAE♭

F7

F dominant seventh

Notes: F · A · C · E♭

GDAE♭

F♯dim7

F♯ diminished seventh

Notes: F♯ · A · C · E♭

GDAE♯♭

A7

A dominant seventh

Notes: A · C♯ · E · G

4frGDAE♯

Dm7

D minor seventh

Notes: D · F · A · C

GDAE

G7

G dominant seventh

Notes: G · B · D · F

GDAE
1
C7
2
F7
3
C7
4
C7
5
F7
6
F♯dim7
7
C7
8
A7
9
Dm7
10
G7
11
C7A7
12
Dm7G7

Why it works

Bars 8–10 form a chain of dominant resolutions: VI7 → ii7 → V7, borrowed from the circle of fifths.

On another instrument

The jazz blues on Guitar →The jazz blues on Piano →The jazz blues on Ukulele →The jazz blues on Banjo →The jazz blues on Violin →The jazz blues on Flute →

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