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Blues

Blues Turnaround

E · A · E · B

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E
I
A
IV
E
I
B
V
Key
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Blues Turnaround in E major

Blues Turnaround is I · IV · I · V. In E major that is E, A, B. A short blues turnaround with dominant tension. Loop those chords in order. The same pattern works in any major key.

Songs that use this

  • Midnight Special · Lead Belly
  • Red Red Wine · UB40
  • Rivers of Babylon · Boney M.

Why it works

In E major this loop is E, A, B (I · IV · I · V). I is the home chord. V pulls away from home and wants to resolve. IV moves the song forward without leaving the key. Play the chords in order and the pattern is easy to hear on ukulele.

Chords in E major

Jump to each shape used in this loop.

EAB

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

C major → C · F · C · GD major → D · G · D · AE major → E · A · E · BF major → F · Bb · F · CG major → G · C · G · DA major → A · D · A · EB major → B · E · B · F#

Related progressions

Blues ProgressionThe Blues8-bar Blues12-Bar Blues

Frequently asked questions

What is the Blues Turnaround ukulele chord progression?

Blues Turnaround is the I–IV–I–V chord loop. In E major that is E, A, and B. A short blues turnaround with dominant tension.

What do the roman numerals mean in Blues Turnaround?

Roman numerals mark each chord's role in the key, not fixed chord names. Uppercase is major, lowercase is minor. Blues Turnaround uses I–IV–I–V. Change the key and the roles stay; the chord names move with it. In E major you play E, A, B.

How do you practice Blues Turnaround on ukulele?

Loop E, A, and B. Change on the first beat of each bar and keep the strum steady. If one change is hard, practice that pair slowly, then play the full loop again.

What songs use the Blues Turnaround progression?

Songs built on Blues Turnaround include Midnight Special, Red Red Wine, and Rivers of Babylon.

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