Blues on guitar

Blues on guitar: the strumming pattern “acoustic shuffle”, in 4/4 and 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. From campfire pop to rock ballads and blues, the acoustic guitar is the default choice, whether you strum full chords or pick out a quiet verse.

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.

Grooves

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