Blues Guitar Lessons • Blues Basics • The Three Chord Progression Part 1

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This is the start of the Blues Basics HubPages Guitar Course. This course is designed for intermediate players. A knowledge of barre chord shapes is essential.

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Progression #1. This is the most basic form of the standard 12 bar blues progression. This is also the famous, one, four, five progression. G7 is the one chord, count up 4 scale steps (G A B C), to find the four chord, C7, count up 5 scale steps (G A B C D) to find the five chord, D7. Memorize this format: 4 bars of the one chord (G7), 2 bars of the four chord (C7), 2 bars of the one chord (G7), 2 bars of the five chord (D7), 2 bars of the one chord (G7).

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Progression #2. To change the key, transpose all of the chords an equal amount and maintain the same format. In this case, we have moved G7 to A7, C7 to D7, and D7 to E7. Since we have used barre chords, all the shapes remain the same. Bars 11 and 12 are commonly called the 'turnaround', simply because these bars lead back into the beginning of the progression. Notice the repeat barlines at the end and the start. Blues players know many standard turnarounds.

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Progression #3. For this progression, we have transposed the chords to F. The one chord is now F7, the four chord is Bb7 and the five chord is C7. Blues and Jazz are all about substitution: taking the basic format and adding or embellishing the chords. It is very common to go to the four chord in the 10th bar and the five chord in the 12th bar. Memorize this format: 4 bars of the one chord , 2 bars of the four chord , 2 bars of the one chord, 1 bar of the five chord, 1 bar of the four chord, 1 bar of the one chord. and 1 bar of the five chord.

Progression #4. For this progression, we have transposed the chords to Bb. The one chord is now Bb7, the four chord is Eb7 and the five chord is F7. When the progression moves to the four chord in the 2nd bar, then returns to the one chord in the 3rd bar, it is called the QUICK CHANGE. Memorize this format: 1 bar of the one chord, 1 bar of the four chord, 2 bars of the one chord, 2 bars of the four chord, 2 bars of the one chord, 1 bar of the five chord, 1 bar of the four chord, 1 bar of the one chord, and 1 bar of the five chord