All 12 Bar Blues Examples in Music
Contents
The 12 bar blues is one of the most common chord progressions in music. It’s used in countless songs in all genres, from rock and pop to jazz and blues. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 12 examples of the 12 bar blues in music.
What is the 12 bar blues?
The 12-bar blues is one of the most prominent chord progressions in popular music. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. In its basic form, it is predominantly based on the I, IV, and V chords of a key. The 12-bar blues can be found in many different styles of music such as jazz, rock ‘n’ roll, and country.
The progression is also known as “the blues form” or “the blues changes”. Although the 12-bar blues progression has been credited to African Americans in the early 20th century, it was actually first used by white American musicians in the late 19th century. Despite its name, the 12-bar blues isn’t always played with twelve bars. It can be played with eight bars or even sixteen bars.
Where did the 12 bar blues come from?
The 12-bar blues is one of the most prominent chord progressions in popular music. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase, chord structure, and duration. In its basic form, it is predominantly based on the I, IV, and V chords of a key. The blues can be played in any key. Musicologists typically identify the 12-bar blues as aCombination of a I-IV-V chord progression with an 8-bar chorus or Riff . The 12 bar blues is popular in jazz, R&B and rock and roll.
What are the chord progressions of the 12 bar blues?
The 12 bar blues is a popular chord progression used in a huge variety of songs. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, you can play the 12 bar blues in any style on any instrument.
The basic harmony of a 12 bar blues progression uses only three chords: the tonic (I), the subdominant (IV), and the dominant (V). In a major key, these chords would be major chords; in a minor key, they would be minor chords.
For example, in the key of C major, the tonic chord is C major (C-E-G); the subdominant is F major (F-A-C); and the dominant is G major (G-B-D). In the key of A minor, the tonic chord is A minor (A-C-E); the subdominant is D minor (D-F-A); and the dominant is E minor (E-G-B).
So, what’s so special about this chord progression? The answer lies in its simplicity. The 12 bar blues progression using only three chords creates a sense of stability and resolution. And because it’s so easy to remember, you can focus on playing with feel and expression instead of thinking about what comes next.
Here are 12 examples of the 12 bar blues progression in action. You’ll find well-known songs in every genre, from rock to country to jazz to pop. See if you can hear how each one uses the three essential chords: tonic, subdominant, and dominant.
What are the different variations of the 12 bar blues?
The 12-bar blues is a musical form that has been used by countless blues, jazz, rock, and pop artists. The basic form consists of 12 bars (measures) of music, each of which is four beats long. The first two bars are typically devoted to the opening riff or lick, while the last two bars often feature a short solo or concluding lick. In between, the 12 bar blues progression typically features three different chord changes (I-IV-V), though there are many variations on this basic structure.
One of the great things about the 12 bar blues is that it is so flexible and can be adapted to any number of different styles. Rock bands like Led Zeppelin and The Rolling Stones have used it as the basis for some of their most iconic songs, while jazz greats like Miles Davis and John Coltrane have used it as a foundation for their improvisational flights of fancy. In fact, almost any popular song you can think of that has a “bluesy” feel to it is likely based on the 12 bar blues progression.
Here are just a few examples of famous songs that use the 12 bar blues:
“Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones
“Crossroads” by Cream
“Sweet Home Chicago” by Robert Johnson
“Stormy Monday” by T-Bone Walker
“All Blues” by Miles Davis
How has the 12 bar blues been used in popular music?
The 12-bar blues progression has been used extensively in popular music, especially in rock and roll, rhythm and blues, Jazz, country, and pop. The blues progression has a distinctive form in lyrics, phrase structure and chord progressions, and while the genre has been influential since its early development, the 12-bar blues progression remains prevalent in current music.
The 12-bar blues chord progression is a foundation for many different popular music styles including rockabilly, “heartbreak songs”, doo-wop and gospel. In jazz, the 12 bar blues is often played at a slow tempo and is called “slow blues” or “Southern Comfort Blues”. While it can be adapted to almost any musical style, it is particularly common in rock and roll, rhythm and blues (especially boogie-woogie), jazz, country music and pop.
What are some famous examples of the 12 bar blues?
The 12 bar blues is one of the most popular chord progressions in all of music. It has been used in countless songs over the years, across all genres of music. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of the most famous examples of the 12 bar blues in music history.
The 12 bar blues is typically played in the key of E, using the chords E, A, and B. However, it can also be played in other keys (such as A, D, or G) by simply using different chords that are relative to that key.
Some famous examples of the 12 bar blues include:
-Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets
-Sweet Home Chicago by Robert Johnson
-Hound Dog by Elvis Presley
-Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson
-I Can’t Quit You Baby by Willie Dixon
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 12 bar blues is a very important and influential chord progression in music. It has been used in countless songs across genres, and is a great way to add structure and interest to your playing. There are many different ways to approach the 12 bar blues, so experiment and find what works best for you. Thanks for reading!
