Blues Chord Progressions
10 Blues chord progressions. Pick one to see the chords by key, listen to it and download the MIDI.
Quick Change Blues
I7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – F7 – C7 – G7
12-bar blues variation. Moves to IV in the second bar.
8-Bar Blues
I7 – V7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – V7 – I7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – G7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – G7 – C7 – G7
Compact blues form. Famous in Key to the Highway.
16-Bar Blues
I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – F7 – C7 – G7
Extended blues form. Famous in Hoochie Coochie Man.
Slow Shuffle Blues
Im7 – Im7 – IVm7 – Im7 – ♭VI – V7 – Im7 – V7
Key of C: Cm7 – Cm7 – Fm7 – Cm7 – Ab – G7 – Cm7 – G7
Laid-back shuffle rhythm blues. The Thrill Is Gone style.
Minor Blues
Im7 – IVm7 – Im7 – Im7 – IVm7 – IVm7 – Im7 – Im7 – ♭VI7 – V7 – Im7 – V7
Key of C: Cm7 – Fm7 – Cm7 – Cm7 – Fm7 – Fm7 – Cm7 – Cm7 – Ab7 – G7 – Cm7 – G7
Minor key blues progression. Dark and moody.
Stormy Monday Progression
I9 – IV9 – I9 – V9 – IV9 – I9
Key of C: C9 – F9 – C9 – G9 – F9 – C9
T-Bone Walker classic. Jazzy blues with 9th chords.
SRV Style Progression
I7 – IV7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – ♯IVdim7 – I7 – VI7 – IIm7 – V7 – I7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – F7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – Gbdim7 – C7 – A7 – Dm7 – G7 – C7 – G7
Texas blues in Stevie Ray Vaughan style.
Delta Blues Progression
I7 – I7 – IV7 – I7
Key of C: C7 – C7 – F7 – C7
Primitive blues from the Mississippi Delta region.
Jazz Blues Progression
I7 – IV7 – I7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7 – I7 – VIm7 – IIm7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – F7 – C7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7 – C7 – Am7 – Dm7 – G7
Jazz-influenced blues. Heavy use of substitutions.
Chicago Blues Progression
I7 – I7 – I7 – I7 – IV7 – IV7 – I7 – III7 – V7 – IV7 – I7 – V7
Key of C: C7 – C7 – C7 – C7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – E7 – G7 – F7 – C7 – G7
Electric blues Chicago style. Muddy Waters influenced.