The name 12 Bar Blues comes from the number of measures or bars in most blues songs – twelve. Here’s the basic 12 bar blues (Chicago blues) in the key of A.
A quick change is just that, changing chords in the 2nd measure and then back the the first chord.
Blues musicians often refer to chord changes by Roman numerals after the steps of the scale. Below are the scale steps in the key of A and the chords associated with them.
Many blues songs have just three chords, the I, IV and V chords. In the key of A, that’s A, D and E. Here’s Further On Up the Road by chord name and Roman numerals.
And the quick change in Sweet Home Chicago? It’s to the …. IV chord …. Right!
A minor 12 bar blues usually has a repeated rhythm pattern and no chord in the 12 measure.
The chord number system comes in handy on a gig. If the band leader says “take it down from the fifth”, that means start the song from V chord in the 9th measure.
And if someone points at you and holds up 4 fingers, it means play the IV chord now!
Some blues songs have a “B” part or bridge. You’ll find this one in many songs.
The ‘unexpected’ “IV” chord (instead of the I chord) creates tension and interest. Usual format – AABA.
The Blues had a baby and they called it Rock N Roll. A comparison of the two styles that may open up your ears and improve your playing.
Rock is usually uptempo – played with even eight notes.
Rock chords change on the ‘&’ of the 4th beat in the previous measure – gives rock incredible drive.
#1 Rhythm Guitar / 1 Note or 2?
Blues- the rhythm guitar usually plays two notes together.
Amazing, Amazing! Lets spice things up a bit with guitarist extraordinaire Larry Carlton, aka “Mr 335”. Larry is one of the most in demand session guitarists in the business, his tasteful lines having graced hundrends of albums, Steely Dan’s, Joni Mitchell’s, Billy Joel’s and Quincy Jones’ among them. His amazing guitar solo on Steely Dan’s “Kid Charlemagne” from their 1976 LP “Royal Scam” is voted by Billboard as the third best solo in rock! In this set of vids Larry is caught live in Paris in 2004 with his outfit of late, hard blowing Sapphire Blues Band, a combination guaranteed to tear the house down . This one’s “Sapphire Blue” a slow, blues – based number, a style that Larry Carlton excels at.