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A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
26 Blues Progressions in C and G Tuning.

Category: Chords Instrument: Ukulele Subjects(s): 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.
Product Info

Product Code: AGCPB1UKE
Author(s): Curt Sheller
Publisher(s): Curt Sheller Publications
Published: Mar 15, 2005
Updated: Feb 12, 2025
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.

NEW Individual books for C and G tunings — 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.

Checkout the New & Revised 2nd Edition

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.

Checkout the New & Revised 2nd Edition

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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Errata
A Guide to Blues Chord Progressions for Ukulele A to Z
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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?

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.

UL42-7
Core Chords - The Big Six - Building a Solid Chord Foundation

The Big Six Core Chords is a series of lessons for building your core, essential 4-part chords. These chords commonly called jazz chords, are really just 4-part chords used in a wide range of musical styles. These chords include: Seventh , Major Seventh, Minor Seventh, Half Diminished Seventh or Minor Seven Flat Five, Diminished Seventh, and Augmented Seventh. These six chords form a core set of chords.

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

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

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

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

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 Guide to Chords and Progressions Series

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

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.
These are books & reference charts that apply to a majority of all lessons on LearningUkulele.com / Learning Ukulele with Curt.
Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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

Six Secrets of the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

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

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

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

UL401
Midnight Cafe

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.

UL547
Fm Blues

A standard 12 bar blues in Fm.

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.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example A

Solo ukulele recording of the example A blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example B

Solo ukulele recording of the example B blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example C

Solo ukulele recording of the example C blues progression.

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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.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example F

Solo ukulele recording of the example F blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example G

Solo ukulele recording of the example G blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example H

Solo ukulele recording of the example H blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example I

Solo ukulele recording of the example I blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example J

Solo ukulele recording of the example J blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example K

Solo ukulele recording of the example K blues progression.

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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example L
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example M
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example N
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example P
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Q
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example R
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example S
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example T
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example U
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example W
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example X
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Y
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A to Z Blues Progressions for Ukulele - Example Z

Solo ukulele recording of the Example Z blues progression.

UL535
Blues in G - Lead Sheet
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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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