E major · I – I – I – I – IV – IV – I – I – V – IV – I – V

12-Bar Blues Chord Progression in E major

In E major the 12-Bar Blues progression is E7 – A7 – B7 (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	E7	`020100`
IV	A7	`x02020`
V	B7	`x2120x`

Bar by bar

bar 1 E7	bar 2 E7	bar 3 E7	bar 4 E7
bar 5 A7	bar 6 A7	bar 7 E7	bar 8 E7
bar 9 B7	bar 10 A7	bar 11 E7	bar 12 B7

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 E major

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

12-Bar Blues in other keys

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

Other progressions in E 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 E major?

E7 – E7 – E7 – E7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – A7 – E7 – B7 (one chord per bar over twelve bars).

What notes are in E major?

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

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

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

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