12-bar blues
Standard chord progression
A 12-bar blues is a chord progression that forms the structural backbone of blues music and much of rock and roll.
The pattern spans twelve measures, typically following a I-I-I-I-IV-IV-I-I-V-IV-I-V chord sequence, creating the familiar tension and resolution that defines the genre.
Countless songs from Robert Johnson to the Rolling Stones follow this template: Once you learn the 12-bar blues, you can jam with almost anyone.
- three chordsSimplest musical progression
- shuffleRandomize by mixing
- chordNotes sounded simultaneously
- progressionSequential forward movement
- turnaroundShift in opposite direction
call and response · boogie · delta · Chicago · guitar · harmonica · riff · lick · backbeat · swing · juke · joint · muddy · howlin · juke joint · smoky · slow burn · gritty
12-bar bluesGregorian chant
Monophonic Catholic liturgical music
symphonic music · opera · chamber music · baroque music · art song
bar, bars, barred, barring, blue, blues, bluesy, blued, bluing