Basic Blues Chord Progressions

Breaking down the phrases

Below is the most common variation for the 1st phrase. (1st line) By adding the IV chord (D7) in measure 2, and then returning to the I chord in measure 3, there is more movement and interest in the 1st phrase.

Phrase 1, variation 1

There is not much variation that is done for phase 2 in a basic blues. Though as you learn more about harmony, there are a lot of things that you could do in this phrase.

Below are the variation that are commonly used for phrase 3.

Phrase 3, variation 1

Phrase 3, variation 2

Phrase 3, variation 3

Phrase 3, variation 4

Clicking on the buttons below with launch a small browser window with the different variations.

basic	phrase 1, variation 1
phrase 1, variation 1 phrase 3, variation 1	phrase 1, variation 1 phrase 3, variation 2
phrase 1, variation 1 phrase 3, variation 3	phrase 1, variation 1 phrase 3, variation 4

Basic blues chord progressions, page 1