Blues

African-American genre with characteristic 12-bar form and blue notes

12-bar blues formDominant 7th chordsBlue notes (b3, b5, b7)I-IV-V progression

Common Keys: E, A, G, C, D

12-Bar Blues

100% popular

Progression (Roman Numerals)

I7 - I7 - I7 - I7 - IV7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - V7 - IV7 - I7 - V7

Example in C

C7 - C7 - C7 - C7 - F7 - F7 - C7 - C7 - G7 - F7 - C7 - G7

Classic 12-bar blues form

Quick Change Blues

85% popular

Progression (Roman Numerals)

I7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - IV7 - IV7 - I7 - I7 - V7 - IV7 - I7 - V7

Example in C

C7 - F7 - C7 - C7 - F7 - F7 - C7 - C7 - G7 - F7 - C7 - G7

Blues with quick IV in bar 2

Minor Blues

80% popular

Progression (Roman Numerals)

i7 - i7 - i7 - i7 - iv7 - iv7 - i7 - i7 - V7 - iv7 - i7 - V7

Example in C

Cm7 - Cm7 - Cm7 - Cm7 - Fm7 - Fm7 - Cm7 - Cm7 - G7 - Fm7 - Cm7 - G7

Minor key blues progression

8-Bar Blues

70% popular

Progression (Roman Numerals)

I7 - V7 - IV7 - IV7 - I7 - V7 - I7 - V7

Example in C

C7 - G7 - F7 - F7 - C7 - G7 - C7 - G7

Shortened blues form