Blues - [Rhythm 1] [Rhythm 2] [Rhythm 3] [Rhythm 4]

12 Bar Blues is a chord progression spread out over 12 bars. The standard blues progreession has 3 chords. They are the I - IV - V. In the key of A these chords are: A - D - E respectively. Learning these progressions are not only fun, but the fact that most musicians know these exact progressions makes it very valuable.

Here is a table of the 2 most popular blues patterns:

Bar #

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

Pattern 1

I

I

I

I

IV

IV

I

I

V

IV

I

V

Pattern 2

I

IV

I

I

IV

IV

I

I

V

IV

I

V

Take notice not only of the chords and how to play these rhythms. But how the general pattern goes.

This pattern can be played with major chords, minor chords, 7th chords, 9th chords. Check out the rhythms above to see and hear some examples.