| 12 bar blues is a chord progression, or series of chords, | | | | The 3rd chord is G major. This consists of the 3 white |
| that is used in literally hundreds of blues and rock | | | | keys G B and D. |
| songs. Well known examples are Rock Around the | | | | Practice playing each chord for the count of 4 beats |
| Clock and Blue Suede Shoes. To play 12 bar blues all | | | | (literally count "1, 2, 3, 4" in your head). |
| you need to know is 3 simple piano chords. | | | | Here is the 12 bar blues structure in the key of C |
| The 3 chords you are going to play are C major, F | | | | major. The symbol C means play the chord of C |
| major and G major. The term major means bright and | | | | major, F means play the chord of F major, and so on. |
| happy in music. | | | | C C C C |
| To play the chord of C major find the white key C. C | | | | F F C C |
| is to the left of any set of 2 black keys. Now play | | | | G F C C |
| every alternate white key from C (on the right hand | | | | As you are counting "1, 2, 3, 4" play each chord on the |
| side of C). The chord of C consists of C E and G. | | | | "1" |
| Play this in either your right or left hand, using alternate | | | | Remember to allow enough time to move between |
| fingers - 1 3 and 5. | | | | one chord and the next so that you keep in time. |
| Practice playing the chord until it sounds clean. Your 3 | | | | You can use this structure to play any 12 bar blues |
| fingers should form a triangle shape. Imagine that you | | | | song. When musicians get up on stage and "jam" |
| are "cutting" the shape into the piano keys! | | | | together, they generally play along to this structure. |
| Now for your 2nd chord. Move your triangle shape up | | | | Who knows - when you feel confident, you can |
| the piano so that you start on F. The chord of F major | | | | always get up and join in! |
| consists of the white keys F A and C. | | | | |