What is the Blues?

The Blues are at the heart of all American music.

Published: 15 Dec 2008 Updated: 12 Nov 2022Visits: 11Code: UL129

Category: BluesInstrument: Music Subjects: Chords • Beginner • Intermediate • Blues • Advanced

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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 UkuleleLesson presents an introduction to the blues progression and a couple of scale position of the pentatonic scale to get you started improvising.

The Blues

A Feeling, A Scale, A Progression

A Blues Progression?

The most common form of a blues chord progression is twelve measures in length containing three four measure sections using the primary chords of a key. The primary chords of a major or minor key are the I , IV , and V chords.

While other measure lengths are possible, such as eight and sixteen measures, the twelve measure form is the most common.

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What is the Blues?…

F Blues

A 12 bar blues in the key of F Major . Using F7 , Bb7 and >C7. The I IV and V chords in the key of F.

4-Part Chords —F Blues

These are the basic 4-Part a.k.a. Jazz chords that can get you through F Blues.

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

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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.

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