12-bar Blues in F

Here is an example of a 12 bar blues in F. Play all chords on strings 6, 4, and 3. Each of these chord forms can be found in the playing of Freddie Green.

Note that the interval between the 6th string and the 3rd string is always a major or minor tenth. This extensive use of the tenth can be traced back to the jazz pianists of the 1930's, most notably Teddy Wilson, a member of the Benny Goodman small groups from this era. Teddy Wilson used tenths in his left hand to create smooth, continuous harmonic movement. The techniques illustrated in this guitar example "represent the basic tools employed by Wilson to connect root position chords by long bass lines rich in harmonic implications," from "Swing and Early Progressive Piano Styles"; by John Mehegan; Amsco Music Publishing Company, 1964.

Michael Pettersen - September 2001