Blues

12-Bar Blues

in F major · F–F–F–F–Bb–Bb–F–F–C–Bb–F–F

F
I
F
I
F
I
F
I
Bb
IV
Bb
IV
F
I
F
I
C
V
Bb
IV
F
I
F
I
Progression
I
I
I
I
IV
IV
I
I
V
IV
I
I
Key
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What is the I–I–I–I–IV–IV–I–I–V–IV–I–I progression?

The quintessential blues form. Twelve bars of pure soul.

Songs that use this

  • Johnny B. Goode
  • Sweet Home Chicago
  • Hound Dog

Why it works

These chords outline strong tonic, dominant, and relative minor colors in F major—easy to sing and easy to remember on ukulele.

Try in other keys

Same Roman numerals; chords transpose with the key.

Related progressions