I–I–I–I–IV–IV–I–I–V–IV–I–V

The 12-bar blues is the most iconic chord progression in American music. This 12-measure form built on the I, IV, and V chords has been the foundation of blues, rock and roll, and jazz for over a century.

Pattern: I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V   Example in C Major: C – C – C – C – F – F – C – C – G – F – C – G

Genre: blues, rock   Difficulty: beginner

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C Major C – C – C – C – F – F – C – C – G – F – C – G G Major G – G – G – G – C – C – G – G – D – C – G – D D Major D – D – D – D – G – G – D – D – A – G – D – A A Major A – A – A – A – D – D – A – A – E – D – A – E E Major E – E – E – E – A – A – E – E – B – A – E – B B Major B – B – B – B – E – E – B – B – F♯ – E – B – F♯ F♯ Major F♯ – F♯ – F♯ – F♯ – B – B – F♯ – F♯ – C♯ – B – F♯ – C♯ F Major F – F – F – F – B♭ – B♭ – F – F – C – B♭ – F – C B♭ Major B♭ – B♭ – B♭ – B♭ – E♭ – E♭ – B♭ – B♭ – F – E♭ – B♭ – F E♭ Major E♭ – E♭ – E♭ – E♭ – A♭ – A♭ – E♭ – E♭ – B♭ – A♭ – E♭ – B♭ A♭ Major A♭ – A♭ – A♭ – A♭ – D♭ – D♭ – A♭ – A♭ – E♭ – D♭ – A♭ – E♭ D♭ Major D♭ – D♭ – D♭ – D♭ – G♭ – G♭ – D♭ – D♭ – A♭ – G♭ – D♭ – A♭

Song Examples