This document provides instruction on developing blues skills through learning the 12 bar blues chord progression. The objectives are to learn the chord structure of blues music, practice chords and bass lines, and understand how the chord pattern relates to blues songs. Students are given guidance on individual practice approaches and assessment criteria for performing the 12 bar blues at different levels, with homework to prepare for an assessment on playing it.

1. Starter Activity
12 Bar Blues
•What makes a good solo performance?
•Think of 1 way to improve your performance
work during today’s lesson

2. Spirituals
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Thz1zDAytzU

3. Lesson Objectives:
• Today you will develop your....
• Knowledge of the chord structure of the Blues
• Skills by developing your playing of chords on
the keyboards and playing a bass line in your
left hand
• Understanding of how the chord pattern links
to actual Blues songs

4. Leading to the individual assessment
Suggested approach to your individual practice
•Practise the right hand chords – when you can
play them with perfectly in time with no pauses
•Then practise the left hand bass line– again
when you can play this perfectly
•Then slowly put the 2 hands together
•Develop the dynamics – for level 6 and above

5. 12 Bar Blues Chord Progression
Remember:
C =right hand C E G =1,3,5 left hand C 5
F = right hand F A C = 1,3,5 left hand F 2
G = right hand G B D – 1,3,5 left hand G 1
C
C C
C
loud
getting softer
F
moderately loud
F C C
G
Suddenly loud
F C
getting softer
C
soft

6. Bass Line – in the left hand
C
5 – little
finger LH
C
5
C
5
C
5
F
2 – pointy
finger LH
F
2
C
5
C
5
G
1 – thumb LH
F
2
C
5
C
5

7. Assessment criteria
Level 4 The pupil performs the complete piece (12 bars of the blues) with right and
left hand. There may be some breakdowns in the performance that
interrupt the flow. Timing between chord changes may not be steady and
the advised fingerings are not always used. There is little evidence of
dynamic contrast.
Level 5 The pupil performs the complete piece (12 bars of the blues) with right and
left hand. The music flows well and there is good timing throughout the
piece. Occasional slips on notes do not interrupt the overall flow. There is
some attention paid to the advised fingering. You can hear basic changes in
the dynamics.
Level 6 The pupil performs the complete piece (12 bars of the blues) with right and
left hand. The performance is fluent (it flows all the way through) and the
pupil uses the advised fingering to enhance their performance. There is
detailed attention paid to the dynamics, with subtle changes heard. The
piece sounds stylistic and blues like.

8. H/W
• Prepare individual performance of 12 Bar
Blues for assessment in lesson on Friday10th
October

9. Key words
• Chord
• Worksong
• Spiritual
• Call and response
• Unison
• Harmony
• Bass line
• Dynamics

10. Key words
• Chord
• Worksong
• Spiritual
• Call and response
• Unison
• Harmony
• Bass line
• Dynamics