MusicGurusMusicGurus
Log in
MusicGurusMusicGurus
Lesson 23 of 32PianoBeginner

The 12 bar Blues form

1:06

A walk through the full 12-bar blues form on piano - swung right-hand triads over a boogie-woogie bass line - as a template for your own improvising.

Part of the courseRockschool Piano Grade 332 lessons (2h 17m)

This lesson is part of the full course. 1 lesson is free to watch.

from$13/month

Subscribe to Watch
Explore the course
Cancel anytime30-day refund

What's in the course

32 lessons (2h 17m) · 1 free

    • 01. Improvisation - what is it?

      3:21

    • 02. Starting out with Blues improvisation

      1:53

    • 03. The 12 bar Blues form

      You are here

      1:06

    • 04. Using the Blues scale

      2:20

    • 05. Adding accompaniment

      1:14

Lesson transcript

Full Blues Form Lesson

So I'm going to play for you now the full blues form in time.
1, 2, 3, 4.

Right Hand Technique

In the right hand, what I've done is play the triads that we learnt, but using them in slightly more rhythmically interesting ways to give this idea of groove or swing.

Left Hand Technique

In the left hand, I'm playing a really common boogie woogie blues line.

Note:
You can play this or not; it's up to you.

Learning Objective

This is a great backbone and a template for:

  • Learning how to improvise
  • Understanding the blues form

You can then develop and get creative with this yourself.

$13/monthSubscription

Subscribe to Watch

32 lessons

2h 17m of structured video lessons

Advanced video features

Slow down, loop a passage, follow along

Mobile, tablet & desktop

Practise wherever you are

100% satisfaction guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee

Pat Levett
Joe Glossop
Frank Doll
Katie Melua
Ed O'Brien
Imogen Heap
Adam Mishan
Chet Atkins

Learn from world-class musicians and hundreds of others

Get MusicGurusGift

Unlimited access, money back guaranteed

$13/month

Subscription

Subscribe to Watch