What is a 12 bar blues? (Music theory lesson)

I've noticed some confusion among viewers as to what is the 'correct way' to play a 12 bar blues. In fact there are several common variations you will encounter when playing out in the real world. I explain the Top 5 patterns in this video.

Playlists of 12 bar blues:

12 bar blues with bands:

12 bar blues with solo piano:

12 bar blues featuring (II-V and I-VI-II-V) changes:

Enjoy!

[johnnyrockett]

This is probably a naive question, but in the key of C - for example - I've always been taught II stood for Dm and VI stood for Am ... but in your examples I think you are saying II stands for D Major and VI stands for A Major - can you straighten this out for me at all? I don't know the proper order to watch your videos, but this is the first time you lost me in my first two weeks of watching you and learning from your boogie woogie book. [I don't have a piano at my computer ... I think that is a detriment for me.] I just watched your video on what the numbers stand for - but you didn't cover the II (two) and VI (six) chords. I've grown attached to you, Arthur. Please don't fail me now buddy. lol

[roberttimm]

Chuck Berry often didn't tour with a steady band. He was an ornery band leader who counted on the house band at any venue to know his whole set without rehearsing with him, so he could just walk in and hit the stage. Story goes, that often his only guidance to the band walking on was "Never go to the 4" on the turnarounds.

[msgingerjourney]

Working at playing without the chord sheets at my local jams. Some players hand them out, others don't.Working at developing an ear for the various 12 BB patterns. Thank you for this tutorial ❤

[ArtRodent]

The first book I learnt from in the mid 1970's as a 13 year old was Lead Guitar by Harvey Vinson, based around 12 bar blues and it's remained ingrained in me. Taking up piano in my 50's it's your books and teaching that have helped me to improvise 12-bar. Thanks, for great explanations in this lesson, Arthur.

[Zilegil]

8 bar blues supremacy, mate. Nice one ☝️

[MrBrax]

Thanks for adding Muddy! Gained my love of blues from him. Learned about him from studying Jimi as a kid and been hooked since then. Great info here.

[patrikduller]

This is absolute gold, thanks so much man! :)

[nilaydervish]

This video is absolutely brilliant. Packed with such neat and essential information, I'm not confused as to what's happening in those 12-Bars anymore. Thank you!

[daveadams]

🎵 Arthur this is so informative! This clears up a lot that many may find mystifying about the blues. You are so right, the blues doesn't have to be just the I, IV and V but man, they gotta be there! Thanks so much for posting what is probably the most useful video on YouTube about the blues! Marvellous! And in your shorts! Cheers! 🎵

[Robertlavigne]

Loving the new content! Thanks so much Arthur! Would you be able to cover playing a few left hand patterns that include the II and VI variations? Not really sure what to be playing especially on the two beat II and VI.

[JoshWalshMusic]

So much fun. Thanks Arthur!

Have you tried a boogie on the Coltrane Changes yet? If anyone can pull it off, it’s you!

[michealjonex]

In most music @ 16:33 if it's a minor 2 the Roman numerals are lower cased in exception to. Secondary dominants

[brucejeric]

Growing up I always heard the “fast 4 “ called doing a “quick change”of course I’m pretty dated at 77 years old. Most of this was back in the 60’s for me when I took up bass guitar and played in blues band. Couldn’t carry my acoustic piano, big I sure wanted to play in a band. So I did

[dennisk.]

Well done, great introduction to the 12 bar format, thanks.

Nonetheless, the instrumental intro of Johnny B. Goode is on IV in bar 10 whereas it stays on V in the rest of the song.

[johnwalker]

Thanks for putting this together Arthur. Absolutely fascinating and I love your way of teaching. I’m trying to spend more time listening to boogie and blues music as I definitely think it helps me to improve as a pianist. Keep up the good work! Cheers, John.✨👍✨

[michaelmarkowitz]

Great lesson! Quick question- on the 2-5-1 version are all the chords dominant or a classic 2-5-1 jazz progression? Thanks, Mike.

[mikaeljohansson]

I've been experimenting with a nice variation lately more of a gospel/blues I believe. But if you have the knowledge plz enlighten me. It's mainly in major except for a quick minor switch.
goes something like this 1, 3, 4, 4min, 1, 6, 2, 5, 1, 4, 1, 5 Hope you get what I mean. Hmm now that a started counting it's more like a 16-bar blues but still sounds cool:)

[decmcelarn]

does this work with kazoo or only church organ?

[british_spaghetti]

No wonder nothing makes sense, : these numbers are going to eat us all one day