Monday, March 26, 2012

Three Chord Theory Continued: Blues Chord Progressions


Blues Chord Progressions:
The Blues is the accepted roots of Jazz and the heart of Rock.
It  is a musical form that is based almost entirely on three chord theory. 
Although the blues formula has survived to become the structure of Pop, the most common blues pattern is known as Twelve Bar Blues.
The name is  from the fact that it takes a number of  "bars" to complete each cycle of the chord progressions. 
A "bar" is equal to a "measure" in music theory or a count of 1-2-3-4 in common time. 
There are many variations on the theme and many ways of arranging the three chords.
Sometimes the chords are major, sometimes sevenths, sometime there are only eight bars. 
Rhythms, vocal and lead guitar solos give the  blues is character just  as much as  its chord progressions.
Below are four typical blues chord progressions in the key of E.


No comments:

Post a Comment