ChordPocket

12-bar blues

I7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7

Twelve bars built from three dominant 7th chords. It is the foundation of blues, early rock and roll and countless jams.

  1. A7×12
  2. A7×12
  3. A7×12
  4. A7×12
  5. D7××213
  6. D7××213
  7. A7×12
  8. A7×12
  9. E721
  10. D7××213
  11. A7×12
  12. E721

12-bar blues in every key

The numerals stay the same in every key; only the chord names change. The easiest keys on guitar are A major, D major, E major.

A majorA7A7A7A7D7D7A7A7E7D7A7E7
Ab majorAb7Ab7Ab7Ab7C#7C#7Ab7Ab7Eb7C#7Ab7Eb7
B majorB7B7B7B7E7E7B7B7F#7E7B7F#7
Bb majorBb7Bb7Bb7Bb7Eb7Eb7Bb7Bb7F7Eb7Bb7F7
C majorC7C7C7C7F7F7C7C7G7F7C7G7
D majorD7D7D7D7G7G7D7D7A7G7D7A7
Db majorC#7C#7C#7C#7F#7F#7C#7C#7Ab7F#7C#7Ab7
E majorE7E7E7E7A7A7E7E7B7A7E7B7
Eb majorEb7Eb7Eb7Eb7Ab7Ab7Eb7Eb7Bb7Ab7Eb7Bb7
F majorF7F7F7F7Bb7Bb7F7F7C7Bb7F7C7
F# majorF#7F#7F#7F#7B7B7F#7F#7C#7B7F#7C#7
G majorG7G7G7G7C7C7G7G7D7C7G7D7

Questions

What chords are in the 12-bar blues progression?

In A major it is A7, A7, A7, A7, D7, D7, A7, A7, E7, D7, A7 and E7. In any other key, use the same numbered steps (I7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7) of that key's scale.

What is the easiest key for 12-bar blues on guitar?

A major, D major and E major use open chords, so they are the easiest places to start.