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Unit 17 · Song analysis · Lesson 4 of 4

Blues and jazz

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The twelve- blues

The blues bends the rules: every is a , even I. Twelve , three , endless variations.

Twelve-bar blues

Traditional form · A major · 4/4

  1. Bar 1
    A7I7
  2. Bar 2
    A7I7
  3. Bar 3
    A7I7
  4. Bar 4
    A7I7
  5. Bar 5
    D7IV7
    The move to IV7 in bar 5 is the first big change.
  6. Bar 6
    D7IV7
  7. Bar 7
    A7I7
  8. Bar 8
    A7I7
  9. Bar 9
    E7V7
    V7 → IV7 → I7: the classic blues descent.
  10. Bar 10
    D7IV7
  11. Bar 11
    A7I7
  12. Bar 12
    E7V7
  • Every chord is a dominant seventh - even the tonic. That's the blues sound.
  • Bar 12 is a turnaround on V7 that sends you back to the top.
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