The 12-Bar Blues

Learn about the Blues

Here are six ways to help you "be cool" and play the 12-Bar Blues.

Watch the video created in My Simple Show that gives a VERY brief introduction to the 12-Bar Blues.
Play your own blues with the help of a unique, Be Cool and Play the Blues targeted at those just starting to play the Blues.
This leads nicely into more in-depth instruction that Bradley Sowash (jazz pianist, author and educator) provides in his method books called That's Jazz and his resource title Boogie Lickopedia.
To review the terms that you learn along the way, study the 12-Bar Blues Quizlet flashcard games found below.
Test your knowledge and play a rousing game of Kahoot based on the 12-Bar Blues here.
Get inspired by the pros from the past and the present and watch the collection of videos below.

Watch this BRIEF Introduction to the 12-Bar Blues

Test what you know about the Blues here

Watch these videos below and listen for:

The chord changes
How the lyrics repeat and change
How each loop of the Blues is different
Count how many loops of the 12-bars you hear in each performance.
How Jack Black, star of The School of Rock movie, shows a classroom how to create a band.

Classic Blues

Oscar Peterson, a well-known jazz pianist, playing the "C Jam Blues."

Blues on the Guitar

Eric Clapton, is a legendary guitar player and singer/song writer singin his “Walkin Blues.”

The very FIRST 12-Bar Blues played by pros

Joe Turner playing "St Louis Blues" written by W C Handy. This is was one of the first Blues to be published back in the early 1900's.

Wynton Marsalis, known for promoting classical and jazz music, is on the trumpet playing "St. Louis Blues."

Listen to the pianist "comping" or chording along to support the melody.

Eddie Higgins, respected jazz pianist from Chicago, playing "St Louis Blues" with a jazz trio: piano, bass violin and drum set. Notice his "boogie" left hand at the beginning.

Another well-known Blues tune

Charlie Parker, known for his bebop style, on saxophone playing "Kansas City Blues."

Paul Rishell & Annie Raines with special guests John Sebastian, Harmonica; Chris Rival, guitar; Reed Butler, bass; Billy MacGillivray, drums playing another version of "Kansas City Blues "

Notice how they trade or take turns playing the solo over the progression.

“Sweet Home Chicago, ” another well-known Blues tune

"Sweet Home Chicago" is a blues standard in the twelve-bar form. It was first recorded and written by Robert Johnson. Over the years the song has become one of the most popular anthems for the city of Chicago. Watch John Mayer rock it!

“The Thrill is Gone” another well-known Blues tune

"The Thrill is Gone," live with BB King, Slash, Derek Trucks, Susan Tedeschi, Ronnie Wood and Mick Hucknall. BB King was legendary and just passed away in 2015. It was an honor for these artists to team up with him.

Blues are still goin' strong!

"Give me One Reason to Stay Here" is a hit song written by Tracy Chapman, a 21st century singer/songwriter.