Learning Different Blues Chords Progressions

In music, there are always variations on the standard method. In blues, this is no different. Blues chords are combined in a variety of different ways in order to achieve slightly different sounds. Some of the most common blues chords are used in progressions that are well known in the blues genre. Here are some of the most common blues chords progressions.

The 12 Bar Blues

This is the most well known of all blues chords progressions. It is predominant in nineteenth and twentieth century jazz and blues. The progression uses three chords that are the tonic, dominant and subdominant chords. The progression is twelve measures long, and the fifth measure is usually the subdominant chord. The ninth measure is where the cadence progresses to the tonic.

Basie Blues Chord Progression

This is one of the standard variations on the 12 bar blues. It is named after Count Basie because his band frequently used it. The general elements of the progression are the same but the variation comes in the chords that are used in the progression.

12 Bar Minor Blues Progression

This is another variation on the 12 bar blues that uses the minor scale in order to achieve a different sound from the conventional 12 bar sound. The elements are all the same, giving the 12 bar minor progression a deeper, more offsetting sound.

8 and 16 Bar Blues Chord Progressions

The other two major variations of the 12 bar blues is the 8 and 16 bar blues. These variations take the same basic elements that are required for a 12 bar blues progression and turn it into a shorter version. For the 8 bar progression, the pattern of chords is derived from the first, third, eighth, and twelfth measures of the Basie blues progression. The 16 bar blues is the 12 bar pattern with an extended pattern of chords that lasts for 16 measures. It is the same structure as the 12 bar blues, but the chords in measures nine and ten are repeated three times.

If you want to learn the different chord progressions, all you need is a little time to practice. Once you have mastered the 12 bar blues, you can easily learn the rest of these variations. The 12 bar blues progression is the basic step in order to begin learning the variations, so make sure you take the time to practice and get that down first. Then you will be on you way to playing the blues.