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Playable chord progression

12 Bar Blues Chord Progression

The twelve-bar blues is a complete musical form built from dominant I, IV and V chords. Guitarists use it for rhythm playing, improvisation, call and response and turnarounds.

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I7E7Bar 1
I7E7Bar 2
I7E7Bar 3
I7E7Bar 4
IV7A7Bar 5
IV7A7Bar 6
I7E7Bar 7
I7E7Bar 8
V7B7Bar 9
IV7A7Bar 10
I7E7Bar 11
V7B7Bar 12
Harmony

How the progression works

Count twelve bars in three groups of four. Keep the groove consistent for the first eight bars, then listen for the V IV I movement that signals the ending and turnaround.

Practice

Make it musical

Begin with one chord hit per bar. Add a shuffle riff only after you can hear where bar nine begins without looking.

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Chord guides for this progression