Piano Guidance
Photo by Max Vakhtbovych Pexels Logo Photo: Max Vakhtbovych

How many chords are in a typical blues song?

three chords A standard blues progression, or sequence of notes, typically features three chords based on the first (written as I), fourth (IV), and fifth (V) notes of an eight-note scale.

Is a 61 key keyboard enough for a beginner?
Is a 61 key keyboard enough for a beginner?

If you are a beginning piano student, a 61-key keyboard should be a good fit for all of your needs. It should also fit easily into small spaces....

Read More »
Can Sonata cause depression?
Can Sonata cause depression?

anxiety, depression, aggression, agitation; memory problems, unusual thoughts or behavior; thoughts of hurting yourself; or. confusion,...

Read More »

The most common musical form of blues is the 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. A 12-bar blues is divided into three four-bar segments. A standard blues progression, or sequence of notes, typically features three chords based on the first (written as I), fourth (IV), and fifth (V) notes of an eight-note scale. The I chord dominates the first four bars; the IV chord typically appears in the second four bars (although in the example below, Elmore James introduces it in the first four bars); and the V chord is played in the third four bars. The lyrics of a 12-bar blues song often follow what's known as an AAB pattern. "A" refers to the first and second four-bar verse, and "B" is the third four-bar verse. In a 12-bar blues, the first and second lines are repeated, and the third line is a response to them—often with a twist. Below is an example of a 12-bar blues stanza from "Dust My Broom," as performed by Elmore James, and broken down by bars (measures), beats, chords, and lyrics: In each 12-bar stanza, the third four-bar segment (in the example above, the 9-12th bars), serves to resolve the previous four-bar segments. The resolution may signal the end of the song or set up another stanza. If the song continues, the transition to the next stanza is known as the turnaround. "Dust My Broom," for example, contains seven 12-bar stanzas, with a turnaround between each. Not all blues songs follow the 12-bar format, but by understanding this basic musical framework, the listener will gain a deeper understanding and appreciation for all blues music.

Why is jazz music so good?
Why is jazz music so good?

Jazz has all the elements that other music has: It has melody; that's the tune of the song, the part you're most likely to remember. It has...

Read More »
How long does a harmonica last?
How long does a harmonica last?

With steady playing, a harmonica should go at least 6 months before a reed goes bad. Modern harmonicas seem to last much longer than the older...

Read More »

What is tritone in piano?
What is tritone in piano?

A tritone is an interval made up of three tones, or six semitones. In each diatonic scale there is only one tritone, and it occurs between the...

Read More »
Do piano apps actually work?
Do piano apps actually work?

Yes, piano apps are an excellent investment for pianists-in-progress, as an addition to weekly lessons. Your teacher would be thrilled if you...

Read More »
How does the play The piano Lesson end?
How does the play The piano Lesson end?

At last, Berniece saves the day when she plays the piano, calls on the spirits of her ancestors, and banishes Sutter's ghost. In the end, Boy...

Read More »
What is considered old age for a woman?
What is considered old age for a woman?

about 73 And how about folks in the United States, I asked? When are we considered old? For women, the old age threshold is about 73; for men, 70....

Read More »