How to Learn a Three-Chord Blues Progression

The three-chord progression, consisting of the E, A, and B major chords, is a staple of blues guitar. Other more complicated progressions are used by experienced players, but the simple three-chord version is enough to accessorize the standard blues vocal. Follow these steps to play it.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Guitar

1. Begin on E major. Place your finger at second fret on the A string, second fret on the D and first fret on the G. Strum E along with the first bar. The singer should sing something bluesy like, "Well I woke up this morning, sure was feelin' down..."

2. Move to the A major chord (second fret on D, G, and B strings) as the singer begins to re-sing the line, "Well I woke up this morning...," and move back down to E major for the second half of that line, "...sure was feelin' down."

3. Move up to the B major chord (essentially an A major barred two frets higher) as the singer launches into the next line, "Well my baby, she wasn't around...," and move back down to E major as the singer finishes with "...she was out of town."

4. As the third line ends, return to B major and strum it quickly a few times, making sure to arrive back at E major just as the next verse starts.

5. Practice the timing of this progression and add flourishes, such as bending barred notes.

Tips & Warnings

• The hardest part of this progression may be the B major. While the E and A chords are open-string chords, the B is hard to play open-string. Practice playing barred chords before trying the blues progression.

Resources

• Chord progressions including jazzier compositions.
• Website containing easy progressions of various styles.