The use of blue notes and the prominence of call-and-response patterns in the music and lyrics are indicative of the blues' West African pedigree. The form evolved in the United States in the communities of former African slaves from spirituals, praise songs, field hollers, shouts, and chants. Hopefully, this article makes it easier for you to play the blues and blues chord progressions from home.The blues is a vocal and instrumental form of music based on a pentatonic scale and a characteristic twelve-bar chord progression. Blues is known for flowing freely from major to minor, so being able to easily slide between the two keys makes E and A fairly popular in this genre.īlues music is well loved for good reason. These keys are likely the most popular since 3rd focused chord changes are the easiest to change. In blues songs, you'll most likely find the key of E or the key of A. These chords can then be used to create the classic twelve bar blues progression, or you can create more variation when playing the blues by adding variations to each measure and chord voicing. To create a blues chord progression, you should start with the principle chords of I IV and V. This common blues form creates the basis of most blues songs, though there's variations usually interspersed throughout, like 7th chords or extended style variations. What are the 12-bar blues chords?ġ2 bar blues chords refer to three chords, the I IV and V chords which make up the 12 bar blues progression. These chords are played in a specific way which creates the famous 12 bar blues chord pattern. The 3 chords used in blues are the I, IV, and V or the tonic, subdominant, and dominant. You might even hear the "choking" of guitar strings which is where a blues guitarist pulls back on guitar strings to create a unique sound:Īre you ready to start playing blues music? Check out these commonly asked questions and answers surrounding blues chord progressions: What are the 3 chords used in the blues? Rhythmic Elementsīlues music often utilizes syncopation to add groove and style to its otherwise predictable chord structure. The pattern is what gave way to the switch-up we hear every four bars in blues music. This genre of music is meant to be a conversation around difficult topics concerning discrimination, hard times, and yearning for the past. Since this music is deeply rooted in African culture, it takes on a call-and-response pattern, sometimes described as AAB based on old African spirituals. You'll find that blues lyrics don't shy away from the truth and value capturing genuine emotion over getting the perfect vocal take. Raw Lyricism and Vocalsīlues lyrics are trademarked by melancholy, honesty, and longing. The guitar chords follow the tone set by this bassline to create a groovy atmosphere. Walking Bass LineĪ basic blues track tends to include a walking bass line that's also seen in similar genres like jazz. This ambiguity of notes leaves the genre open to more possibilities, especially when going between different keys with the power of dominant 7th chords. For instance, in the key of G, a G chord would be stylized as G and D instead of a typical major or minor triad. This genre frequently styles chords to avoid using the defining 3rd of the key. So, what makes a blues song stand out amongst other music? Here are the key elements of any piece of blues music: Chord Ambiguityīlues music effortlessly walks the line between major and minor keys. Without the blues scale and genre as a whole, we might not have ever experienced genres like rock, country, and Americana genres. We have a lot to owe blues and the blues progression. However, this couldn't be further from the truth. Certain parents felt that the rhythmic and honest nature of the genre could be a dangerous influence on children. Tragically, many considered "blues" devil's music. Simply "blues" was adapted to encapture the genre's characteristically sad and melancholic undertones. The term "blues" referred to an expression of the time "blue devils" which described hallucinations brought on by the absence of alcohol. This genre takes inspiration from African American spirituals, work songs, and chants. Traditional blues music was a single line repeated over four bars, which gave way to the basic structure of blues music today. This genre originated in the American south by African Americans who newly acquired freedom after the abolishment of slavery. Below, we'll detail the history of blues music and share blue chord progression examples to help you get started. It's still well-loved and played today, but it might be challenging to decode if you're just learning about the genre.įortunately, we've put together the ultimate guide to blues chord progressions and music so that you can start enjoying blues from the comfort of your home studio. Blues music is one of the longest-lasting genres with its characteristically melancholic undertones and naturally soulful, raw sound.
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