12 bar blues explained...

[fenderrules]

hey can anyone explain to me what are 12 bar blues and how do i start off learning it? i know plenty of the technique but my theory is not really that up to par so i need help...

first of all....what is this thing?????

1 2 3 4
| I / / / | I / / / | I / / / | I / / / |

5 6 7 8
| IV / / / | IV / / / | I / / / | I / / / |

9 10 11 12
| V7 / / / | V7 / / / | I / / / | / / / / |


thanks for your help!

 

[ob]

http://www.torvund.net/guitar/BluesGuitar/12_bar_in_E-introduction.asp

should answer all your questions.

 

[fenderrules]

ah crap the page cant load

 

[tany]

I - root chord, e.g. E
IV - subdominant chord, e.g. A
V7 - dominant 7th chord, adds the color to the chord, e.g. B7

 

[fenderrules]

okaaay..

so how do i apply that to my playing or most of all improvsation? cuz i think blues is mostly used for improvisation and im not sure how to use the 12 bar blues to improvise

help me pls


thanks

 

[Scream_ed]

the 12 bars is the song structure itse;f. I think when u said the part about improvisation, I think u r referring to the scale, not the 12 bar itself. Improvisation can use any scales for that matter, not just blues scale alone.

12 bar bluues is a tradition blues song structure used by many. For a pretty good example, check out those Taylor ads on the back of some guitar mags. The song lyrics are arranged in 12 bar structure. First 2 lines repeat the same thing, third line gives the 'story climax' then return to the same lyrics on the first verse...something like that.

What it is useful for , though, is for free jamming when you dun have a particular song to jam. Just announce the key, pound out a style/rhythm, and you guys can do a fee jam.

 

[guitarman78]

you wanna play the blues .... Listen to the Blues .... Listen to artists like Muddy Waters, Buddy Guy, King Albert, etc. And hang out in Crazy Elephant every Sunday night 10pm onwards ... get a pint of beer and enjoy the band.

Learning the scale only gives you the tools to play ... but you won't understand the music just by learning scales and progressions ... though it's a foundation. Beside scales ... there arte things like Altered scales and Turnarounds that you can learn. If you wanna know more ... PM me.

 

[sleepykitty]

^^is john chee from crazy elephant still gigging?

 

[shredded]

download the vid! 12 bars blues+ some funk

http://www.ultimate-guitar.com/columns/features/steal_this_video_12_bar_blues.html

 

[fenderrules]

oh noes.....my pinky cant reach the 7th fret when im barring G

 

[sleepykitty]

^^ it helps if you lower your thumb

 

[fenderrules]

ah i see....thanks dude

wish i had ang moh hands....bigger hands and longer pinkies, makes grabbing the fretboard and reaching hard-to-reach frets possible.

 

[MadWerewolfBoy]

oh noes.....my pinky cant reach the 7th fret when im barring G

dun need to bar... just play power chords can liao...