Who originated the 12 bar blues form?
W.C. Handy
“W.C. Handy, ‘the Father of the Blues’, codified this blues form to help musicians communicate chord changes.” Many variations are possible. The length of sections may be varied to create eight-bar blues or sixteen-bar blues.
How was the 12 bar blues created?
A 12 bar blues is created by using the 3 primary chords, chord I, chord IV, and chord V, in a specific order. We can call this a chord sequence. In the 12 bar blues sequence, the way these chords are repeated and grouped is defined by metre, that is, the number of beats in each bar. Chord IV is an F chord, like this.
Why do they call it 12 bar blues?
The term “12-bar” refers to the number of measures, or musical bars, used to express the theme of a typical blues song. Nearly all blues music is played to a 4/4 time signature, which means that there are four beats in every measure or bar and each quarter note is equal to one beat.
Why is the 12 bar blues so popular?
It’s because it is based on the most fundamental chords in music: The Tonic and the Fifth. There’s a whole musical school of thought around this (Schenkerian – no, not Michael!). Together with the use of the IV chord the most basic musical ideas (tension, anticipation, release) are explored in the most basic way.
Is 12-bar blues major or minor?
12 Bar Blues Structure That’s right, the 12 bar blues is really just a I-IV-V progression played in a predetermined (formulaic, if you will) way. Take a few minutes to memorize this formula, and try it in a variety of different major, minor or dominant keys. You’ll likely hear a very familiar pattern—enjoy!
How many bars is 12-bar blues?
four bars
A standard blues progression generally consists of three chords that are usually, but not always, played in a major and rather than a minor key. In a 12-bar progression, each of those chords is assigned four bars of the progression (and that number may change depending on the song’s structure).
What kind of music is 12 bar blues?
It is a forerunner to other genres like Jazz, Rock and Roll, and Rhythm & Blues. The 12-Bar Blues form is called that because it has a chord progression that takes place over 12 bars, or measures. The chord progression uses only the I, IV, and V chords of a key, also called the tonic, subdominant, and dominant, respectively.
When to change chords in 12 bar blues?
You will often find that composers change the chord in the 2nd bar from Chord I to Chord IV. This is called quick-change or quick four and can be very effective. Have a listen to this example of quick-change blues in E major:
Who was the father of the twelve bar blues?
This overlap between the grouping of the accompaniment and the vocal is part of what creates interest in the twelve bar blues. ” W.C. Handy, ‘the Father of the Blues’, codified this blues form to help musicians communicate chord changes.” Many variations are possible.
What’s the Second Bar of a blues called?
You will often find that composers change the chord in the 2nd bar from Chord I to Chord IV. This is called quick-change or quick four and can be very effective. Have a listen to this example of quick-change blues in E major: There is a huge back catalogue of blues music.