Db major · I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V

12-Bar Blues Chord Progression in Db major

In Db major the 12-Bar Blues progression is Db7 – Gb7 – Ab7 (12 bars).

The most important chord pattern in blues and early rock and roll, one chord per bar across twelve bars. Hound Dog and Johnny B. Goode are classic twelve-bar blues songs.

The chords

Numeral	Chord	Easiest shape
I	Db7	`x4310x`
IV	Gb7	`242320`
V	Ab7	`464544`

Bar by bar

bar 1 Db7	bar 2 Db7	bar 3 Db7	bar 4 Db7
bar 5 Gb7	bar 6 Gb7	bar 7 Db7	bar 8 Db7
bar 9 Ab7	bar 10 Gb7	bar 11 Db7	bar 12 Ab7

How to practise

Use dominant 7th chords for a bluesy feel, or plain major chords for a simpler sound. The last bar (V) is the turnaround that leads back to the start.

Play one chord per bar at 60 BPM with a simple down-strum on each beat.
Raise the tempo by 5 BPM once you can play eight rounds without a mistake.
Change the strumming pattern: down, down-up, up-down-up.

Key facts about Db major

Db major contains the notes Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C. See the full C# Major scale with fretboard diagrams, and use it to solo over the progression.

12-Bar Blues in other keys

C major D major Eb major E major F major F# major G major Ab major A major Bb major B major

Other progressions in Db major

I-V-vi-IV I-IV-V I-vi-IV-V (50s progression)vi-IV-I-V ii-V-I Canon Progression

FAQ

What are the chords of 12-Bar Blues in Db major?

Db7 – Db7 – Db7 – Db7 – Gb7 – Gb7 – Db7 – Db7 – Ab7 – Gb7 – Db7 – Ab7 (one chord per bar over twelve bars).

What notes are in Db major?

Db major contains Db, Eb, F, Gb, Ab, Bb, C.

Which scale can I solo with over 12-Bar Blues in Db major?

The Db major scale fits, and the major pentatonic scale from C# is the easiest choice.

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