Lesson Goal: To internalize the form and harmony for Minor 12-Bar Blues… by ear, intellect, eye, and muscle…
Table of Contents
Prerequisites
Basic music reading skills… basic scale, chord, and chord progression theory… basic technique… the LOVE of music and the discipline to study and practice.
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Minor 12 Bar Blues: The First Lesson
The most basic form and harmony for minor 12-bar blues in the key of C.
Like the Major Blues 12-Bar pattern, the Minor Blues 12-bar pattern consists of three distinct 4-bar phrases…
Phrase #1 (bars 1-4) establishes both the home key and minor-ness of the piece with the Cm(7) chord…
Phrase #2 (bars 5-9) creates harmonic tension with the Fm7 chord (iv7) that is released with a return back to the tonic Cm7 chord (i7)…
Phrase #3 (bars 9-12) creates harmonic tension with the Gm7 chord (v7) that is released with a return back to the tonic Cm7 chord (i7).
Listen to all three phrases combined into a 12-bar chorus…
The deep appreciation of this three-phase structure is absolutely essential to playing minor 12-bar blues in authentic style. Think of 12-bar blues form as a three-line poem and you are off to a great start!
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Minor 12 Bar Blues: Variation #1
Any interest in Minor 12 Bar Blues Harmony Variations? Please comment below!
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Minor 12 Bar Blues: Variation #X
Any interest in Minor 12 Bar Blues Harmony Variations? Please comment below!
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learn more… Blues Piano Lessons
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