fbpx
Play Video

Simple Chord Tweak for the 12 Bar Blues Progression

Lesson ID: TB072

A great way to expand your knowledge of the standard 12 bar blues progression is by tweaking a chord here and there for a specific sound.

Tweaking the 12 Bar Blues Pattern

After mastering the standard 12 bar blues pattern, move on to getting a solid handle on quick change blues.

From there, the sky is the limit as far as chord substitutions go within a 12 bar blues progression.  In this lesson, we’ll take a look at a sweet sounding progression in A that features the II7 chord (B7).  This sounds a little out of place at first since blues players like me are usually rooted in the I, IV and V chords.

TB072But this chord placement is nothing short of elegant.  Work through the chord changes (especially in the last 4 bars) to get a sense of have a surprising chord can bring new life to a tried and true progression.

When you are ready, there are two ways I can help you:

Back Porch Blues Course:  A proven system to fingerpicking the blues.  This step-by-step course guides you through building fundamental fingerpicking skills.  Plus, you’ll learn three levels of a delta blues style performance study to put your new skills into action.

Become a myBGI Member: Get a proven plan to playing better blues with one of BGI’s structured roadmaps:  The Fretboard Roadmap, Fingerstyle Roadmap and Slide Guitar Roadmap.

Subscribe to Tuesday Blues​

Join 13k+ Tuesday Blues subscribers for weekly lessons.  You’ll get strategies, tips and tutorials to help you play better blues guitar.

    Hey, Before You Go...

    GRAB THE FREE
    FRETBOARD TOOLKIT

    Unlock the fretboard so you can play great blues guitar.