3 Chord Thursday: 12 Bar Blues

On Thursday 28th April 2022, we revisit a theme from 2020, a common chord progression based on three chords, so named “twelve bar blues.”

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Illustration by Eve Myles

Twelve Bar Blues Formula

12 Bar Blues formula

A 12 bar blues song follows a pattern (a formula). Using just three chords from a major key, you can accompany the song by playing I in the first four measures (a.k.a. bars), as shown above. In the key of C major, I is the C major chord. IV is the F major chord. V is G major.

12 Bar Blues Formula

For variety, you can replace the 12th bar with a V7, if it’s not the end of the song. This makes the song go to the next verse. You can also replace other chords with their 7th, e.g. I becomes I7. C becomes C7 in the key of C.

Use the easy look-up table below to find the I, IV, and V in any common key. Remember, you can substitute I7 for I, IV7 for IV, and V7 for V for any or all 12 bars.

The three chords in the most common keys used 12-bar blues

The Line-Up

  1. Roll Over Beethoven in A [3] – Bruce (MI) (3-page PDF)
  2. Hesitation Blues in C/Am [6] – Steve (CA) (1-page PDF)
  3. San Francisco Bay Blues in C [13] – Laura (PR) (2-page PDF)
  4. The New Hula Blues in F [4] – Paul (GA) (3-page PDF)

Can’t think of any 12-bar blues? Check out this compilation. And here are more:

  • Ballad of John and Yoko, The
  • Be Bop a Lula
  • Birthday
  • Black Magic Woman
  • Can’t Buy Me Love
  • Day Tripper
  • Don’t Pass Me Buy
  • For You Blue
  • Got My Mojo Working
  • Jailhouse Rock
  • Kansas City
  • Long Tall Sally
  • Memphis Tennessee
  • Mustang Sally
  • Roll Over Beethoven
  • Sweet Home Chicago
  • Traveling Band
  • Tutti Frutti
  • Why Don’t We Do It In The Road

Beatles fan? Here’s a short history and analysis of Beatles’ 12-bar blues.


Occasionally we ask you to participate in a poll in Zoom, here was today’s results.

POLL in ZOOM 4/28/2022 at 3:16 PM EDT

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