Blues Chord Progressions
The 12-bar blues is the most influential 12 measures in popular music. Three chords (I7, IV7, V7) arranged in a fixed pattern provide the template for thousands of songs across blues, rock, jazz, and country. Variations — quick-change, jazz blues, minor blues — extend the form without breaking it.
Defining characteristics
- →Dominant 7th chords on every degree (I7, IV7, V7)
- →12-bar AAB lyric structure
- →Turnaround in the last two bars
- →Quick-change variant uses IV7 in bar 2
- →Shuffle or swung 8th-note feel
Example progressions
12-bar blues
I7 (×4) – IV7 (×2) – I7 (×2) – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 · E major
The standard 12-bar form in E — the most common blues guitar key.
Quick-change blues
I7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 · A major
The IV chord arrives one bar early — the standard variation.
Minor blues
i7 – iv7 – i7 – i7 – iv7 – iv7 – i7 – i7 – ♭VI7 – V7 – i7 – V7 · A minor
Darker, more melancholy form — used by B.B. King, Otis Rush, and Gary Moore.
Songs in this style
Pride and Joy — Stevie Ray Vaughan
E7 – A7 – B7 (12-bar)
The Thrill Is Gone — B.B. King
Bm – Em – Bm – F♯7 (minor blues)
Generate your own blues chord progressions
ChordGen produces unlimited variations in any key, with free MIDI export to your DAW.
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