12 Bar Blues in E with Blues Strumming

Course: Beginner Blues & Busker Chords

In this video

The 12 Bar Blues is a very common musical form, using a distinctive chord progression we have all definitely heard before as it spans many genres of music.

We are learning it in the Key of E here, as we know all the chords including the 7th versions now too, so we just need to understand the chord changes. When it all comes together for you, we can add cool tricks to make sound even more like a classic blues!

The chords for a 12 Bar Blues in E are:

  • E for 4 bars (E7 for last bar to signal change)

  • A7 for 2 bars

  • E for 2 bars

    Then, the last 4 bars are quicker changes just lasting 1 bar each chord

  • B7 for 1 bar

  • A7 for 1 bar

    The final two bars are what we call the 'Blues Turnaround' going back to the start

  • E7 for 1 bar to B7 to finish it off

Now we need to equip ourselves with 2 other essential components:

  • A Blues Shuffle rhythm

  • Palm muting

Blues Shuffle rhythm

Play Through 1 with shuffle

Palm muting

Play Through 2 with palm muting

Next Up: Power Chord Shapes for Acoustic

Well done! Let's jump into the next lesson of the course.