50+ Legendary 12 Bar Blues Songs – The Essential List
Song / Artist | UG Chords/Tabs | Guitar Pro Tabs |
---|---|---|
1. Pride and Joy – Stevie Ray Vaughan | Chords / Tabs | GP Tabs |
2. Rock and Roll – Led Zeppelin | Chords / Tabs | GP Tabs |
3. Tush – ZZ Top | Chords / Tabs | GP Tabs |
4. Johnny B. Goode – Chuck Berry | Chords / Tabs | GP Tabs |
- What is the 12-bar blues pattern?
- What modern songs use the 12-bar blues?
- How many phrases are in A 12-bar blues?
- Is Jailhouse Rock A 12-bar blues?
What is the 12-bar blues pattern?
The lyrics of a 12-bar blues song often follow what's known as an AAB pattern. "A" refers to the first and second four-bar verse, and "B" is the third four-bar verse. In a 12-bar blues, the first and second lines are repeated, and the third line is a response to them—often with a twist.
What modern songs use the 12-bar blues?
And though some might use more than three chords, they still stick close to the structure of 12 bar blues.
- “Hound Dog” by Big Moma Thornton covered by Elvis Presley.
- “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin.
- “Rock Around the Clock” by Billy Haley and the Comets.
- “Tush” by ZZ Top.
- “Birthday” by The Beatles.
How many phrases are in A 12-bar blues?
A 12-bar blues progression is composed of three (typically) four-bar phrases. The first phrase is entirely tonic harmony (I). The second phrase contains two bars of subdominant (IV) and two bars of tonic (I).
Is Jailhouse Rock A 12-bar blues?
The Blues went on the influence other styles of music. In 1950's, Rock and Roll musicians used 12 bar blues harmony as a basis for their songs. In songs like; Jailhouse Rock and Rock Around the Clock. From then on, the Blues influenced Rock and Pop music.