Blues Progressions Karl Sorochinski

The 12-bar blues is the canvas for so many music genres, shaping their harmonic structures, rhythms, and emotional expression. Just some of the influences are:

Rock ‘n’ Roll: The 12-bar blues progression is a cornerstone of early rock music. Artists like Chuck Berry, Elvis Presley, and Little Richard incorporated blues elements into their rock hits. Songs like “Johnny B. Goode” and “Hound Dog” feature the familiar 12-bar structure.
Jazz: While jazz often explores more complex harmonies, the blues remains an essential part of its vocabulary. Jazz musicians frequently incorporate blues scales, bends, and phrasing into their improvisations. The bluesy feel can be heard in both traditional jazz and fusion genres.
R&B (Rhythm and Blues): As the name suggests, R&B owes much to the blues. Artists like Ray Charles, Aretha Franklin, and Stevie Wonder infused their R&B hits with bluesy chord progressions and soulful vocal delivery. The emotional depth of the blues resonates in R&B ballads.
Soul Music: Soul music emerged from gospel, R&B, and blues traditions. Artists like Otis Redding, Sam Cooke, and James Brown drew from the 12-bar blues to create soulful melodies and heartfelt lyrics. The raw emotion and call-and-response style are hallmarks of soul.
Country Music: Country music shares common roots with the blues, especially in its early forms. Country artists often use the 12-bar progression, adapting it to their storytelling lyrics. Honky-tonk tunes and country ballads owe a debt to the blues.
Hip-Hop and Rap: While not immediately obvious, hip-hop and rap have absorbed blues influences. Whether through sampling old blues records or infusing lyrics with themes of struggle and resilience, the blues spirit lives on in urban music.
Pop Music: Even in the world of catchy pop hits, traces of the blues can be found. Whether it’s a bluesy guitar riff, a soulful vocal run, or a melancholic chord progression, pop artists occasionally nod to the blues tradition.

Learn more:

Wikipedia: The Wikipedia article on Twelve-bar blues provides an overview of the origins, structure, and variations of the 12-bar blues. It covers topics like the basic progression, shuffle blues, and the role of seventh chords.
University of Puget Sound: The University of Puget Sound’s page on the 12-Bar Blues offers insights into the progression’s historical context. It highlights its use in various musical genres, including Swing Era tunes and early Rock ‘n’ Roll hits.
Music Production Glossary: The article on “What is 12-Bar Blues?” delves into the origins of the 12-bar blues. It traces its roots back to field hollers, work songs, and spirituals brought to America by enslaved Africans.
Music Fans Stack Exchange: For a discussion on the origins, check out this Music Fans Stack Exchange post. It provides additional insights into the development of the 12-bar blues in the Deep South of the United States.

The 12 Bar blues is a simple concept with endless outcomes. It is the back bone of American music and the canvas for so many artists.

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