Major 12 Bar Blues Scales and Licks
Master essential blues licks with my interactive tab player. Practice classic blues phrases, bends, slides, and vibrato techniques.
Blues Licks Guide Contents
Theory & Foundation
Advanced Concepts
What is a 12-Bar Blues?
The 12-bar blues is the most common form in blues music. It uses three chords: the I, IV, and V. In the key of A, these are A7 (I), D7 (IV), and E7 (V).
Unlike a typical major key, where only the V chord is a dominant 7th, the blues uses dominant 7th chords for all three. In a standard major key, the I and IV would be major 7 chords (Amaj7, Dmaj7), but in blues, they are all dominant 7ths. This gives the blues its unique, "in-between" sound.
This is why the blues doesn't fit neatly into a traditional major or minor key. It also explains why we can play the minor pentatonic scale over these "major" chords: blues melodies often use both the minor 3rd (b3) and the major 3rd (3) together, creating the classic blues tension and release.
Summary: Blues is special because it blends major and minor sounds, and uses dominant 7th chords for all three main chords in the progression.
Note: Not all blues is based on dominant 7th ("major blues") progressions. Minor blues progressions use minor chords (e.g., Am, Dm, Em) and the minor pentatonic/blues scale throughout. The concepts on this page focus on the classic major/dominant 7th blues, but the minor blues sound is just as important!
Most importantly: Study great blues players, their approach and their licks. The theory provides the foundation, but the real learning comes from listening to and transcribing the masters like B.B. King, Albert King, Freddie King, Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, and many others.
A Major 12-Bar Blues Progression
This progression repeats continuously. Bars 9-12 are called the "turnaround" - they create tension and lead back to Bar 1. Bar 12 is sometimes played with the 1 chord (A7), but we are using the 5 chord (E7) for a stronger resolution.
Interactive Blues Licks Tab Player
Each example uses the Major 12 bar blues chord progression. You will hear the chords but we are only showing the lead part in the tab. The tab shows where these chord changes occur. Exercise 1A uses the b3 - 3 - 1 lick almost exclusively, while Exercise 1B uses the b3 - 3 - b7 lick. The other exercises all use the lick at least once but they also contain licks made from specific scales. You will see the scale name above the relevant bar that it is used. The b3 - 3 - 1 licks are all labelled.
The final exercise uses Hybrid blues Scales, which adds the notes together of the A major blues and Am blues scales.
📖 Additional theory details, fretboard diagrams, and advanced concepts can be found below the tab player.
Note: Each progression repeats 4 times in the tab.
How to Read This Tab
- Standard Notation: The top staff shows traditional music notation for rhythm and pitch.
- Tablature (TAB): The lower staff shows fret numbers for each string—play the indicated fret on the matching string.
- Bend Arrows: Upward arrow (↗) shows bend, downward arrow (↘) shows release.
- Bend Amount: Numbers like 1/4, 1/2, Full, or 1 1/2 show how much to bend the string.
- Vibrato: Squiggly lines indicate vibrato on the note.
- Fingering: Numbers above the top staff suggest which left-hand finger to use (1 = index, 2 = middle, 3 = ring, 4 = pinky).
Foundation: The ♭3 - 3 - 1 and ♭3 - 3 - ♭7 Licks
These classic blues licks are the backbone of countless solos:
Fretboard Diagrams: ♭3 - 3 - 1 and ♭3 - 3 - ♭7 Licks
A7 - ♭3 - 3 - 1
A7 - ♭3 - 3 - ♭7
D7 - ♭3 - 3 - 1
D7 - ♭3 - 3 - ♭7
E7 - ♭3 - 3 - 1
E7 - ♭3 - 3 - ♭7
Understanding the notes in each chord helps you target the best scale and licks:
- Rule 1: I chord (A7 minor pentatonic or A minor blues* scale) works over the entire progression.
- Rule 2: Each chord can be approached with its own major pentatonic or major blues* scale:
I (A7) → A major pentatonic/major blues*
IV (D7) → D major pentatonic/major blues*
V (E7) → E major pentatonic/major blues* - Rule 3: You can use the minor pentatonic or minor blues* scale of the I and V chords, but avoid the minor pentatonic/blues scale of the IV chord (D7):
I (A7) → A minor pentatonic/minor blues*
IV (D7) → D minor pentatonic/minor blues* (avoid)
V (E7) → E minor pentatonic/minor blues* - Rule 4: The major pentatonic/major blues* scale of the I chord (A7) works well over the I and V chords, but not the IV chord:
I (A7) → A major pentatonic/major blues*
IV (D7) → A major pentatonic/major blues* (avoid)
V (E7) → A major pentatonic/major blues* - Rule 5: The major pentatonic/major blues* scale of the IV chord (D7) works well over the IV and V chords, but not the I chord:
I (A7) → D major pentatonic/major blues* (avoid)
IV (D7) → D major pentatonic/major blues*
V (E7) → D major pentatonic/major blues* - Rule 6: The major pentatonic scales from Rule 2 can be transformed into the Mixolydian mode or hybrid blues scale by adding a few notes. This is really an alteration of Rule 2:
I (A7) → A Mixolydian, A hybrid blues
IV (D7) → D Mixolydian, D hybrid blues
V (E7) → E Mixolydian, E hybrid blues
Important: These "rules" aren't meant to be strictly followed. Use your ear as the source of truth. These scales just give you options and help to visualize the notes on the fretboard.
Note*: The minor pentatonic is transformed into the minor blues scale by adding the ♭5 (blue note), and the major pentatonic is transformed into the major blues scale by adding the ♭3 (blue note).
Progressive Application Levels
Note: These levels represent a logical learning progression rather than strict difficulty ordering. Each level builds upon the previous concepts to develop a complete understanding of blues soloing.
Level 1: Foundation Licks (Exercise 1A & 1B)
1A: Master the fundamental blues lick using the b3 - 3 - 1 pattern over all chords.
1B: Master the fundamental blues lick using the b3 - 3 - b7 pattern over all chords.
Level 2: Am Pentatonic Focus (Exercise 2)
Apply the b3 - 3 - 1 lick and the Am pentatonic scale over all chords.
Level 3: A Major Pentatonic & Am Pentatonic (Exercise 3)
Use the b3 - 3 - 1 lick and A Major pentatonic over A7, Am pentatonic over D7, and A Major pentatonic over E7.
Level 4: E Major Pentatonic & Em Pentatonic (Exercise 4)
Use the b3 - 3 - 1 lick and E Major pentatonic over E7 (first bar) and Em pentatonic over E7 (last bar).
Level 5: Multiple Scales (Exercise 5A & 5B)
5A: Use the b3 - 3 - 1 lick and A Major pentatonic over A7, D Major pentatonic over D7, and A Major blues over E7.
5B: Use the b3 - 3 - 1 lick and A hybrid blues over A7, D hybrid blues over D7, E hybrid blues over E7.
How to Practice
Start slow and focus on clean execution. These blues licks build essential techniques for blues guitar playing.
Tempo Reference Guide
Beginner Starting Tempo (80 BPM)
Start here and focus on clean notes and proper technique
Slow Tempo (100 BPM)
Build up gradually to this tempo, adding expression and dynamics
Medium Tempo (120 BPM)
Continue building speed and master the blues feel and timing
Fast Tempo (150 BPM)
Advanced speed for live playing and improvisation
Next Steps in Your Blues Journey
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