A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

26 Blues Progressions in C and G Tuning.

Published: 15 Mar 2005 Updated: 22 May 2024Visits: 2Code: AGCPB1UKE

Category: ChordsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Chords • Blues • Jazz

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A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

26 Blues Progressions in C and G Tuning.

Book/Chart Product Info

Product Code: AGCPB1UKE
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Mar 15, 2005
Updated: May 22, 2024
ISBN-13: 978-1-60321-195-6
Size*: Book ANSI A (8.5 x 11 in), PDF A4 (210 x 297 mm)
Pages: 78
Hard Copy Price: $17.95
PDF Price: $9

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The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today.

Studying the blues chord progressions presented in this book will open a wealth of creative possibilities for exploring chord progressions in all styles of music, not just blues.

This volume covers the keys of C major and C minor. Each example includes detailed accompanying text explaining the principles behind each progression and its chord substitutions.

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z starts with a basic three chord, 12 bar blues and progresses through 26 blues progression in C and G tuning up to a sophisticated jazz blues with multiple chord substitutions.

All examples are shown in C and G tuning. Suitable for Soprano, Concert, Tenor, and Baritone ukuleles. Get through this book and you'll have a solid jazz chord foundation to build on.

Tunings: C and G. Low or high string four variations.

NEW 2nd Edition, C Tuning

New & Updated 2nd Edition for C Tuning – High or Low G. • A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z – C Tuning, 2nd Edition • Minor tweaks and new format for the Example chord progressions.

NEW 2nd Edition, G Tuning

New & Updated 2nd Edition for G Tuning – High or Low G. • A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z – C Tuning, 2nd Edition • Minor tweaks and new format for the Example chord progressions.

Table of Contents

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

  • Contents
  • Introduction 5
  • Chord Substitution Principles
    • Passive Chords
    • Active Chords
    • Direct Substitution
    • Replacement
    • Expansion
    • Superimposable
    • Non-superimposable
    • Note Substitution
    • The Minor Third Substitution Principle
      • bVII7
      • bII7
      • III7
  • Blues Progressions
    • Basic “Major” I IV V Progression - Example A
    • Basic “Major” I IV V Progression - Example B
    • Major “Quick Four” Progression - Example D
    • Minor “Quick Four” Progression - Example E
    • Linking Substitution - Example G
    • Linking Substitution - Example H
    • Linking Substitution - Example I
    • Diminished Seventh Passing Chord - Example J
    • Measure Seven and Eight Linking - Example K
    • Diatonic Linking Substitution - Example L
    • Chromatic Linking Substitution - Example M
    • Mixed Chromatic and Diatonic Substitution - Example N
    • “Backdoor” Substitution - Example O
    • Confirmation Changes - Example P
    • Lewis Changes - Example Q
    • Coltrane Blues - Example R
    • The Tri-Tone Substitution - Example S
    • The Tri-Tone Substitution - Example T
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example U
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example V
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example W
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example X
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example Y
    • The Tri-tone II V Substitution - Example Z
  • Rhythm Changes
    • Rhythm Changes - Basic
    • Rhythm Changes - Jazz Variation
  • How to Practice Chord Progressions
  • Conclusion

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The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.

Errata

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

  • 5/1/2024 NEW UPDATED 2nd Edition for ANY tuning.
  • 6/2/2006 – Updated ISBN number to new ISBN-13 number.
  • 4/18/2006 – 200605211.6 - Example K and L had a chord each in the tenor (baritone) examples that where indicated as triads but chord shown is a seventh.
  • 4/18/2006 - 200604181.5 - page 7: "feeling" not Felling and

    Typo on page 7, third paragraph under "Active chords" sub heading. Should read Cm no C (see below)

    Active Chords

    In the key of C minor the active chords are the V, II, VII and IV chords. As triads they are G, Dm, Bdim and F. As 4-part chords they are G7, Dm7b5, Bm7b5 and Fm7.

  • 1/15/2006 - 200601151.4 - Typo on page 7, third paragraph under "Passive chords" sub heading. Should read Cm no C (see below)

    Passive Chords

    In the key of C minor the passive chords are the I, III and VI chords. As triads they are Cm, Eb and Ab and as 4-part chords they are Cm7, Ebmaj7 and Abmaj7.

  • 10/10/2005 - 200510101.3 - A little clear and further clarification of the text.
  • 7/26/2005 - 200507261.2 - Clarified the tunings to reflect the most common naming conventions.
  • 1/13/2005 - 200501131.1 - Fixing a typo to "princples" on the cover and a few pages inside.
  • 1/1/2005 - 200501011.0 - Book Released
  • 11/8/2004 - 20041108 Errata File Created

Get The Latest Version

The current, latest PDF or e-book always has the latest changes and errata incorporated for the most up-to-date version of the file. If you downloaded the book from LearningUkulele.com, you're most likely eligible to get the NEW version of the book FREE, or just let me know if you need the latest version.

Related Lessons

Related Lessons for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

UL129

What is the Blues?

Updated: 12 Nov 2022

The Blues are at the heart of all American music. It has influenced Country, Rock, Folk, Jazz, Bluegrass and just about every form of American music we listen to today. The Blues - a chord progression, a scale, a feeling. This lesson presents an introduction to the blues progression and a couple of scale position of the pentatonic scale to get you started improvising.

Related Lesson Series

Related Lessons Series for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

Blues Chord Progressions

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

From A to Z - These are the 26 blues chord progressions, extracted from my book "Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele from A to Z" for use with on-line and private students.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale and Chord Selection

Updated: 09 Jun 2023

Harmonic Analysis (HA), also known as the study of chord relationships, is the method used to identify the harmonic role of chords within a chord progression or song. A chord progression refers to a sequence of chords, with each chord having a root note and belonging to a specific chord type. The function of a chord within a particular scale's tonality is determined by its relationship to that scale.

Key Signatures - A Major

Updated: 09 Jun 2023

In this lesson series, we explore the key of A Major and its relative minor key, F#, including their primary and secondary chords, as well as a selection of common chord progressions.

The Blues Progression in Common Keys

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

This series of common blues chord progressions uses the seventh chord vs. a triad to explore the blues chord progression.

Related Books & Charts

Related Books for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

AGC-SERIES

Advanced Guitar to Chords and Progressions Series

Updated: 26 Feb 2022

The Advanced Guide to Chords series presents a highly organized and efficient approach to the mysterious subject of advanced chords and chord progressions. Each volume provides detailed information on voicing 4-part chords, covering all major, minor, diminished and augmented chord types, their upper partials, alterations, add, sus and slash chords.

RMA1

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Updated: 08 Jun 2024

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition. This analysis is then used to make scale selections for improvisation and chord substitution.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

Related Songs

Related Songs for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

UL535

Blues in G

Updated: 20 Mar 2018

A basic / standard I, IV, V blues in the key of G major.

UL401

Midnight Cafe

Updated: 21 Feb 2016

An original jazz blues by Curt Sheller from The Curt Sheller Trio 2002 "Midnight at the Jazz Cafe" CD using more contemporary 4-part chords.

Related Book Files, Resources and Assets

Related Assets for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions iReal Pro Backing Tracks

All the progressions from the book, A to Z Blues Progressions in iReal Pro format. Click on the link to load in iReal Pro.

FL68

A Guide to Advanced Chords Series - Chord Building Chart

A handle dandy reference chart for building fifteen (15) basic triads and 4-part chords.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example A

Solo ukulele recording of the example A blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example B

Solo ukulele recording of the example B blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example C

Solo ukulele recording of the example C blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example D

Solo ukulele recording of the example D blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example E

Solo ukulele recording of the example E blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example F

Solo ukulele recording of the example F blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example G

Solo ukulele recording of the example G blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example H

Solo ukulele recording of the example H blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example I

Solo ukulele recording of the example I blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example J

Solo ukulele recording of the example J blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example K

Solo ukulele recording of the example K blues progression.

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example L

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example M

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example N

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example P

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Q

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example R

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example S

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example T

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example U

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example W

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example X

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Y

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Z

Solo ukulele recording of the Example Z blues progression.

UL535

Blues in G - Lead Sheet

WEB_CONTENT_ONLY

Blues in G - Premium Play-along Track

Comments

Comments regarding for A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z.

Regarding A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z - Many thanks for your speedy shipment of my order, received today - now all I have to do is practise!!! I am a humble Sax player so not used to more than one note at a time but now is the time to learn

Will order more advanced stuff when I am improved:-)) I'm very impressed by your variations on the blues form (Coltrane sequence for instance). - Pete Cornish

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