Bass Lessons - 12 Bar Blues Break Down bass tab

12 BAR BLUES BREAK DOWN

TUNING: WHATEVER

TABBED BY: *-JESSICA-*

12 bar blues is the common blues bass part for blues and rock mostly

and is very easy if you memorize the key changes and you can use

any variations for it. The bass part is easier if you memorize

the #1 rule in bass:

The first note of the sequence is always played on the first chord

of the measure.

That means say the time signature is 4/4 and you have a sequence

of 4 simple notes from the blues scale, the first note of that

sequence is always played with the first guitar chord of the

next measure.

For example:

G.--------- --------- ---------

D.---2-5-2- ---2-5-2- ---2-5-2-

A.-3------- -3------- -3-------

E.--------- --------- ---------

MEASURE 1 MEASURE 2 MEASURE 3

So for every measure the first note is played again, the key is

to keep a steady beet, don’t speed up or slow down, tap your foot

with it or something to keep it and internalize the pulse.

Ok, now here is the 12 bar blues progression:

[: ----.----.----.----..----.----..----.----..----..----..----..----..:]

C-> F-> C-> G-> F-> C-> G->

C= F= G=

G.------ ----- -------

D.------ ----- -------

A.---3-- ----- -------

E.------ -1--- ---3---

Now to make a progression use other notes in the scales of the notes.

o.k now here’s the progression with out tabs:

[: and :]- repeat signs

C-16 counts [4 measures]

F-8 counts [2 measures]

C-8 counts [2 measures]

G-4 counts [1 measure]

F-4 counts [1 measure]

G-4 counts [1 measure]

Alright, there is a breakdown of the classic 12 bar blues. If

you have any questions ask your bass teacher or e-mail me and

I’ll try to answer.

Good Luck!