It's that time again! The start of a new month means the opportunity to explore a new musicianship skill! (Want to learn more about Musicianship Monthly and see past activities? Click HERE!)
This month's activity is a fun one, and a perfect way to beat the "winter blues." Read on for resources to help your students learn about the 12 Bar Blues!
The 12 bar blues is an important chord progression that can be found in blues, jazz, and rock music. Learning to recognize, play, and improvise with this chord progression is a great way for students to solidify their understanding of I, IV, and V chords in different keys.
Below are two easy improv activities featuring the 12 bar blues pattern:
Below are two easy improv activities featuring the 12 bar blues pattern:
 | This improv activity encourages students to improvise a melody above a 12 bar blues accompaniment pattern. It uses only the black keys, so it is great for beginners! It can also be customized for late elementary and intermediate students. Click HERE to download your free copy. |
 | This activity introduces students to the 12 bar blues chord progression in the key of C major, as well as a few common left hand patterns found in blues music. Encourage students to mix and match the left hand patterns and fill in the given melody using notes from the C major scale to create their own blues piece. Click HERE to download your free copy. |
12 Bar Blues Listening Examples
Once your students are familiar with the 12 bar blues chord progression, have some fun listening to these classic rock songs in 12 bar blues form and see if they can follow the chord changes. I like to have my students play the bass note of the I, IV, and V chords as they listen--the key for each piece is listed so students can play along!
1. Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (Key of C major) - Listen on YouTube
2. Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard (Key of G major) - Listen on YouTube
3. I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown (Key of D major) - Listen on YouTube
And, just for fun, one of my favorite blues artists performing one of his signature 12 bar blues songs--the great B.B. King (and his guitar "Lucille")!
Once your students are familiar with the 12 bar blues chord progression, have some fun listening to these classic rock songs in 12 bar blues form and see if they can follow the chord changes. I like to have my students play the bass note of the I, IV, and V chords as they listen--the key for each piece is listed so students can play along!
1. Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (Key of C major) - Listen on YouTube
2. Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard (Key of G major) - Listen on YouTube
3. I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown (Key of D major) - Listen on YouTube
And, just for fun, one of my favorite blues artists performing one of his signature 12 bar blues songs--the great B.B. King (and his guitar "Lucille")!
What do you think? Are you a fan of the 12 bar blues? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
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