D major · I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V

12-Bar Blues Chord Progression in D major

In D major the 12-Bar Blues progression is D7 – G7 – A7 (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	D7	`xx0212`
IV	G7	`320001`
V	A7	`x02020`

Bar by bar

bar 1 D7	bar 2 D7	bar 3 D7	bar 4 D7
bar 5 G7	bar 6 G7	bar 7 D7	bar 8 D7
bar 9 A7	bar 10 G7	bar 11 D7	bar 12 A7

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 D major

D major contains the notes D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#. See the full D Major scale with fretboard diagrams, and use it to solo over the progression.

12-Bar Blues in other keys

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

Other progressions in D 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 D major?

D7 – D7 – D7 – D7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – G7 – D7 – A7 (one chord per bar over twelve bars).

What notes are in D major?

D major contains D, E, F#, G, A, B, C#.

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

The D major scale fits, and the major pentatonic scale from D is the easiest choice.

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