Blues
Many of these are on the Progressions PDF, which includes matching scales.
Classic 12-Bar Blues
| Key |
Progression |
Description/Style |
| A |
A - D - A - A - D - D - A - A - E - D - A - E |
Quintessential blues pattern, great for storytelling. |
| E |
E - A - E - E - A - A - E - E - B - A - E - B |
Deep and expressive, perfect for conveying emotion. |
| G |
G - C - G - G - C - C - G - G - D - C - G - D |
Soulful and gritty, ideal for classic blues narratives. |
Minor Blues Progressions
| Key |
Progression |
Description/Style |
| Am |
Am - Dm - Am - Am - Dm - Dm - Am - Am - E - Dm - Am - E |
Moody and introspective, suited for reflective blues tales. |
| Em |
Em - Am - Em - Em - Am - Am - Em - Em - B7 - Am - Em - B7 |
Hauntingly beautiful, perfect for melancholic themes. |
Blues with a Twist
| Key |
Progression |
Description/Style |
| A |
A7 - D7 - A7 - A7 - D7 - D7 - A7 - A7 - E7 - D7 - A7 - E7 |
Classic with dominant 7ths, adding a spicy blues flavor. |
| G |
G7 - C7 - G7 - G7 - C7 - C7 - G7 - G7 - D7 - C7 - G7 - D7 |
Gritty and raw, perfect for dynamic and emotive performances. |
Blues Turnarounds
| Key |
Progression |
Description/Style |
| E |
E - B7 - A7 - E7 - B7 |
Iconic ending, creating anticipation for the next verse. |
| A |
A - E7 - D7 - A7 - E7 |
Soulful conclusion, wrapping up the blues narrative. |
Chord Diagrams for Blues
A D E Am Dm G C E7
e|-0-------2-------0-------0-------1-------3-------0-------0-|
B|-2-------3-------0-------1-------3-------0-------1-------3-|
G|-2-------2-------1-------2-------2-------0-------0-------1-|
D|-2-------0-------2-------2-------0-------0-------2-------0-|
A|-0-------x-------2-------0-------x-------2-------3-------2-|
E|---------x-------0---------------x-------3-----------------|
Open Open Open Open Bar Open Open Open
A7 D7 G7 C7 B7 F# G# C#m
e|-0-------2-------1-------0-------2-------2-------4-------4-|
B|-2-------1-------0-------1-------0-------2-------4-------5-|
G|-0-------2-------0-------3-------2-------3-------5-------6-|
D|-2-------0-------0-------2-------1-------4-------6-------6-|
A|-0-------x-------2-------3-------2-------4-------6-------4-|
E|---------x-------3-----------------------2-------4---------|
Open Open Open Open Open Bar Bar Bar
F#m
e|-2-|
B|-2-|
G|-2-|
D|-4-|
A|-4-|
E|-2-|
Bar
Last updated on 10 Feb 2024
Published on 10 Feb 2024