Blues on cavaquinho

Blues on cavaquinho: the progressions 12-bar blues (I–IV–I–V–IV–I) and quick change (I–IV–I–I), each with audio on its own page. In pop, rock or blues the cavaquinho is an unusual guest; it adds a bright, chopping rhythm layer, but it can't cover the low end a band expects.

The sound of the blues comes from mixing pain and relief: three chords, notes that seem to cry, and a sway that talks straight to the listener. Here you'll study the 12-bar blues — the twelve-measure cycle behind almost every blues — and the quick change, the variation that switches chords as early as the second measure.

Progressions

My Chords & Scales: Build the genre's repertoire: saving chords and scales to the Notebook is part of Pro · open in Chord and Fret

Updated October 20, 2026