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: 26Code: AGCPB1UKE

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

Share A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z on: Bluesky facebook twitter (X)

All 80 sample page(s) are viewable on-line.

If you are a registered site member, have verified your email address, and have the correct permissions you can view ALL the pages of this PDF or Samples pages at a larger size using the LearningUkulele.com Online PDF Viewer .

This Download is NOT part of your LearningUkulele.com membership level.

Sign-up for Premium Site Access or Upgrade Your Plan your current access level to download this PDF or your can purchase a copy for download.

After purchasing a PDF , a download link > will be sent to you within 24hrs.

Contact LearningUkulele.com if there are any issues.

Each PDF file is a formatted, high resolution file that prints out great. You'll need Adobe Reader or a PDF viewing application to view your PDF file.

Prefer and old fashioned hard copy paper version you can actually hold in your hands and write in?

Why buy a book from Curt and
LearningUkulele.com?

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

cover

* Regarding Book, Lesson and Charts Paper Sizes click to Hide more info click to Show more info

Starting 2020 LearningUkulele.com moved to A paper sizes for all new and new editions of books, lessons, and charts.

A4 (210 x 297 mm / 8.3 x 11.7 in)

ANSI A (US Letter): (8.5 x 11 in / 216 x 279 mm)

The A Series was adopted in Europe in the 19th century, and is currently used all around the world, apart from in the USA and Canada.

Printing A4 to US Letter Size: As the sizes are relatively close, simple select Scale to Fit and it will print out fine.

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

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.

Errata

A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z

  • 5/1/2024NEW 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 additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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

Site Access Plans for LearningUkulele.com

Forever Access - With Forever Premium Access, you get ALL the benefits of a Premium Access Subscription such as Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources, related assets, and ALL books by Curt as FREE downloads. Pretty much everything on the site, and NEVER worry about a subscription or surprise payment again. And jump the queue for responding to any questions.

If you're anything like me (Curt) and getting Subscription overloaded with everything and everybody on-line wanting money from you once a month — I'm with you. For like-minded individuals, this forever plan is a pay once, and you're done.

The price for Unlimited Forever access is right around the cost of a few months of private lessons. I can guarantee there is more than enough material on-line to keep you busy for a long, long time. And, you get all of my books for FREE . That alone is more than the cost of this plan.

Premium Access — This premium gives you Unlimited 24/7 access to ALL lessons, downloads, songs, play-along jam tracks, videos, email access to Curt, resources and related assets. As well as ALL books by Curt Sheller as FREE downloads.

Basic Access — A limited selection of basic lessons — ( currently over 140 ) and 100+ songs for ukulele as well as basic general music reference material — FREE

Simply Register/Signup. HOWEVER – I've been doing ukulele and LearningUkulele.com since 2003 and probably have given too much away already - as reflected in my income from the site in relationship to the time spent on the site. So help support this site and its continued development by signing up for one of the below Premium Access Plans or buy a few of my books. - Thanks, Curt

NOTE: Each higher access level includes ALL the benefits of the lower levels. Private Lessons include all the benefits of a Premium Access Plans as long as you remain a student on the schedule.

Just browsing over both books, they look fantastic! I'm a guitarist and uke player for over 25 years and was thinking about writing a ukulele book but you've already written what I think are the best, most comprehensive and thorough books I've ever seen for the instrument. I just might end up buying every book you've written and I'll be giving my highest recommendation for your books to my friends and students. Thank you so much for taking the time to write such great books!Peter Rhee

Aloha, Curt, All I can say is WOW! What you have accomplished is simply incredible! All the bestGlen Hirabayashi, The Aloha Boys

Folks, if you haven't stopped by Curt's site, do so right now! ..And get his books, they are fantastic. This guy knows his stuff and is able to pass it along too.Alan Johnson Proprietor, The 4th Peg

I can highly recommend Curt's Uke books — I have four of them and they are excellent.fatveg — Portland

Want to drop LearningUkulele.com & Learning Ukulele with Curt a nice comment . We always like to know how we are and you are doing. We'll post any comment, quotes throughout the site and you can help spread the word .

Thanks for visiting and checking out the site!

curtieAnim.gif rw.vg.gif

Original Curtie Animation from 1987 for my first web site on a Macintosh II, 37 years ago. Man, does time fly.

“Built for myself (Curt), and sharing with the `Ukulele community!”

LearningUkulele.com has one of the largest collections of lessons, songs, and TABS, Luthiers, ukulele builders, ukulele festival and club information, and, ukulele links on the web. Curt has been on the ®Internet since the early 1990's and This site just never stops growing!!!

Content is added and updated daily — so check back often. I really do need to get out more ;-)

Love LearningUkulele.com? • Show your support!
Support development via a monthly membership or a one-time forever membership!