12 Bar Blues Revisited, pt. IV – Playing in Different Keys

In last month’s post I discussed harmonizing major scales and where the I, IV and V chords are located in each key. This month we’ll continue the discussion and begin to have students apply their new found knowledge.

I have outlined a basic 12 bar blues using I, IV and V and chords. Using this formula students can then “plug-in” the chords from the corresponding key they wish to practice - I have given an example in the key of G.

In order to increase a student’s chord vocabulary they should practice all the open chords (I, IV, V’s) they know in each key and apply them to the 12 bar blues formula. This way students are developing their ear to hear the I, IV, V progression, expanding their knowledge of chords and cementing the 12 bar blues pattern in their mind.

12 Bar Blues Revisited, pt. III - Basic Harmonization

Back in October I revisited the 12 bar blues by adding open major and dominant 7th chords as a way to expand our student’s chord vocabulary. This month we'll continue to expand chord vocabulary by dipping into basic harmonization of the major scale.

At this point in a student’s development it is important for them to learn and understand how chords work in a key; in particularly the I, IV and V. Moreover, by playing in these different keys students will learn to “hear” the I, IV and V chord progression, expand their chord vocabulary and develop a working knowledge of various keys.

Generally, I do not outline all diatonic harmony (major, minor, diminished) but only the I, IV and V chords as they specifically pertain to our topic of the 12 bar blues; no need to muddy the waters (pun intended) with more information than students need at this time. I have attached an outline of chords from scales, however it would be best to have the students outline these themselves.

Next month we’ll get into incorporating the newly learned I, IV, V’s into a 12 bar blues.

12 Bar Blues Revisited, pt. II

In last month’s post 12 Bar Blues Revisited I discussed adding Cowboy Chords as another way to have students practice a 12 bar blues. In particular I chose the I IV and V chords from the key of A (A, D, E). This month students will now add dominant 7th chords to their vocabulary by applying A7, D7 and E7 chords - attached is 12 bar blues using dominant 7th chords. With the inclusion of dominant 7th chords, students will now have four ways to practice their 12 bar blues: 

1. Power Chords (open string) 

2. Power Chords with a shuffle rhythm 

3. Open Chords (major) 

4. Open Chords (dominant 7ths)