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BluesBaritone

8-bar Blues

A · E · D · D · A · E · A · E

A
I
E
V
D
IV
D
IV
A
I
E
V
A
I
E
V
Key
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8-bar Blues in A major on Baritone ukulele

Compact 8-bar blues form. A shorter alternative to the 12-bar.

Play I · V · IV · IV · I · V · I · V in A major using these Baritone shapes: A (2 2 2 0), E (2 1 0 0), D (0 2 3 2). Each set of frets follows D, G, B and E, from left to right in the diagrams. A 0 means open and x means mute.

Learn the first two shapes as a pair before adding the rest of the loop. Start with one downstrum per chord, then play four downstrums on each. If you know this progression on a Standard ukulele, follow the chord names here and learn the DGBE shapes. The sounding key stays A.

Songs that use this

  • Key to the Highway · Big Bill Broonzy
  • Heartbreak Hotel · Elvis Presley
  • Worried Life Blues · Big Maceo Merriweather

Chords in this progression

AED

Try in other keys

C majorD majorE majorF majorG majorA majorB major

Related progressions

Blues TurnaroundBlues ProgressionThe Blues12-Bar Blues

Frequently asked questions

How do you play 8-bar Blues on Baritone ukulele in A?

Follow I · V · IV · IV · I · V · I · V in A major using these DGBE shapes: A (2 2 2 0), E (2 1 0 0), D (0 2 3 2). Read each set of frets from the D string to the E string. A 0 means open and x means mute.

Do I need to transpose chord names for Baritone ukulele?

No. Play the written chord names using Baritone fingerings. 8-bar Blues in A still uses A, E, D. Copying Standard gCEA fingerings onto DGBE strings changes the chords you hear.

How should I practise the Baritone chord changes in 8-bar Blues?

Start with the first two shapes, A (2 2 2 0) and E (2 1 0 0). Pluck each string to check that fretted notes sound cleanly and muted strings stay silent. Switch between those chords slowly, then add the remaining changes in order. Try one downstrum per chord before playing a full bar on each chord.

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