8-bar blues
8-bar blues · also called the eight-bar blues
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4.7 · 6 ratings8-bar blues — how it works
The 8-bar blues compresses the blues into eight bars, reaching the dominant already in bar two, which gives it a more song-like, verse-shaped feel than the twelve-bar form.
Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 8 bars of 4/4.
In C major the chords are C7 – G7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – G7 – C7 – G7; in G major they are G7 – D7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – D7 – G7 – D7. Press play above to hear the progression, then pick the key that fits your voice or your song and set the tempo you want to practise at.
The 8-bar blues in every key
The numerals stay the same; only the chords change. Find your key below, or pick it in the player above to hear it.
| Key | Chords |
|---|---|
| C major | C7 – G7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – G7 – C7 – G7 |
| D♭ major | D♭7 – A♭7 – G♭7 – G♭7 – D♭7 – A♭7 – D♭7 – A♭7 |
| D major | D7 – A7 – G7 – G7 – D7 – A7 – D7 – A7 |
| E♭ major | E♭7 – B♭7 – A♭7 – A♭7 – E♭7 – B♭7 – E♭7 – B♭7 |
| E major | E7 – B7 – A7 – A7 – E7 – B7 – E7 – B7 |
| F major | F7 – C7 – B♭7 – B♭7 – F7 – C7 – F7 – C7 |
| F♯ major | F♯7 – C♯7 – B7 – B7 – F♯7 – C♯7 – F♯7 – C♯7 |
| G major | G7 – D7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – D7 – G7 – D7 |
| A♭ major | A♭7 – E♭7 – D♭7 – D♭7 – A♭7 – E♭7 – A♭7 – E♭7 |
| A major | A7 – E7 – D7 – D7 – A7 – E7 – A7 – E7 |
| B♭ major | B♭7 – F7 – E♭7 – E♭7 – B♭7 – F7 – B♭7 – F7 |
| B major | B7 – F♯7 – E7 – E7 – B7 – F♯7 – B7 – F♯7 |
Songs that use it
Well-known songs built on this progression, at least in the section each is known for. Each title opens its sheet music on MuseScore.
- Key to the Highway — Big Bill Broonzy
See scores on MuseScore
What musicians say
- 5★5
- 4★0
- 3★1
- 2★0
- 1★0
クラシック～ジャズまでキーをC（ハ長調・ハ短調）でいくつものパターンを見聞きしましたが、とても分かり易くて良かった。
Frequently asked questions
- What chords are in the 8-bar blues in C major?
- In C major the 8-bar blues is C7 – G7 – F7 – F7 – C7 – G7 – C7 – G7. The same numerals give G7 – D7 – C7 – C7 – G7 – D7 – G7 – D7 in G major; the table above lists all twelve keys.
- What are the roman numerals for the 8-bar blues?
- The 8-bar blues is I7–V7–IV7–IV7–I7–V7–I7–V7 — also called the eight-bar blues. The 8-bar blues compresses the blues into eight bars, reaching the dominant already in bar two, which gives it a more song-like, verse-shaped feel than the twelve-bar form.
- How long is the 8-bar blues?
- Each chord lasts 4 beats, so one pass of the 8 chords is 8 bars of 4/4.
- What songs use the 8-bar blues?
- "Key to the Highway" by Big Bill Broonzy is built on it, at least in the section each is known for.