If you want to play blues you HAVE to be able to play a 12 Bar Blues in all 12 keys. If you can't do that then this lesson is not for you. Go check that out first.

Now you also need to know that all 12 Bar Blues are not exactly the same, they all have variations to the way that they play the groove, the order of the chords, the feel, the speed, the style - all so many variables to be thinking about as you transcribe.

The point here is to start of just getting the key and the chords - don't worry about the details, just get into working out the key quickly and getting to grips with the chords that go together commonly.

If you are up for it - then get in and have look at the way the groove is played and the lead lines and all that - but just start off with working out a way to play it using simple shuffles like I show you in "12 Bar in 12 Keys".

So what I have here are a list of 12 Bar based tunes for you to work out. They all have quirks but nothing that you shouldn't be able to get your head around. You can check out the correct answers with the links underneath with the reveal :)

So grab your guitar, download the tracks and get bluesin' (is that a word?). ;)

iTunes links
All the song titles links below are to iTunes for you to get the track - if you already have it then just get stuck right into working it out! You could always use the short clips that iTunes give you to try and work it out... that will sharpen your ear up pretty quick!

Answers
So don't be cheating now! Really be sure you have the tune sorted before looking at the answers... try not to cheat - you'll only be cheating yourself.

Variations on a theme
Remember the 12 Bar Blues Variations from the Beginners Course. Maybe you might like to try and play them up the neck too - they might come in handy for some of these tunes ;) hint hint...

Charts
Once you have worked it out - you could always write out the lyrics and then write where the chords change if you wanted to...

Advanced Exercises
So more advanced player will probably understand already that there is much much more to a blues than just a key... so a more advanced exercise it not just to work out the key but also to be able to play it in exactly the same way - same touch - same groove, same chords, same everything... Don't worry if you can't do that yet - but that is what more advanced players should be doing. And tabbing out the results is not a bad idea either...

More tunes?
You don't have to stick to what I have here. If you really dig a band then get in there and work out as much stuff as you can by them... just DO IT. There is no substitute.

Songs to Transcribe

Remember that these might not all be a regular 12 Bar Blues, there might be some other chords in there too - but they are all mainly I,IV, V based so you should be fine... Off you go now :) they are not really in order, so just have a listen and start with ones you like!