FENDER PLAYERS CLUB

BLUES CHORDS AND PROGRESSIONS

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1

THE BASIC BLUES PROGRESSION

Most blues chord progressions are very simple, having only three chords. Sometimes they are called "three-chord
progressions."

A chord progression is simply the succession of chord changes in a tune.

The three chords are called the I, IV and V chords. A more common and descriptive name for this chord progression is a
"I, IV, V progression." This is the most basic progression in music -- from classical and jazz to blues and rock.

The I chord is the chord with the same name as the key in which you are playing. In the key of G, the I chord is a G
chord; in the key of E, the I chord is the E chord, and so on.

Like scales, each chord has a root which is the note of the chord that has the same name as the chord. For example, any
kind of G chord (G7, Gm, G9, etc.) has a G as the root.

Since the I chord has the same letter name as the key, and the root of the chord is the note with the same letter name as
the chord, it follows that the root of the I chord is also the name of the key (example: I chord = E; root of chord = E; key
= E). This is very important to understand as you progress. In order to find the chords on the fingerboard, you must know
where the roots are.

The IV and V chords always have the same relationships to the I chord, and always have the same letter name in a given
key. For example, in the key of E, the I chord is some kind of E, the IV chord is always some kind of A, and the V chord
is always B.

In the blues, it is unusual to see a plain major or minor chord. Instead, we usually use 7th or 9th chords. This gives the
chords more "color." Whether or not a chord is an A7 or an E9, etc., it still functions the same in the I, IV, V progressions.

Below are the I7, IV7, and V7 chords in the key of E.

These are open chords (i.e. they use open strings). To be able to form them quickly and easily, practice forming them
individually and then changing from one to another. Use all possible combinations:

I to IV
I to V
IV to I
IV to V
V to I
V to IV

These same chords will be used in this lesson's musical study.

FENDER PLAYERS CLUB

BLUES CHORDS AND PROGRESSIONS

www.fenderplayersclub.com

2

STUDY - BASIC BLUES/ROCK STYLE

This study, "Texas Rock," is in the key of E, using the bottom (lowest) half of Pattern 1 of the E minor pentatonic scale.

- Notice how the chords you learned in this lesson are used as "punctuation."
- Notice how the different phrases repeat and how the single note figures are mostly the same all through the tune.

Learn this piece phrase by phrase, getting down one phrase before you move to the next. Then put the phrases together
as a whole. Start very slowly, then increase your playing speed little by little.

TEXAS ROCK

FENDER PLAYERS CLUB

BLUES CHORDS AND PROGRESSIONS

www.fenderplayersclub.com

3

This lesson is from:

Blues You Can Use

by John Ganapes.

A comprehensive source designed to help guitarists develop both lead and rhythm
playing.

Covers: Texas, Delta, R&B, early rock and roll, gospel, blues/rock and more. Includes
21 complete solos; chord progressions and riffs; turnarounds; moveable scales and
more.

CD features leads and full band backing.

Inventory # HL 695007. Book/CD pack $19.95 (US).

AUDIO-TexasRock.mp3