Mel Bay's Bass Sessions | John Falstrom - The 12 Bar Jazz Blues Form

The 12 Bar Jazz Blues Form

by John Falstrom

Here's a chart for the 12 bar jazz blues form:

Like the standard 12 bar blues jazz form but with the ii7 chord to the V7 chord in the ninth and tenth measures.

Here is a chart example for the 12 bar jazz blues form: 4/4 time

Measure:	1	2	3	4
Chord:	I7	IV7	I7	I7

	5	6	7	8
	IV7	IV7	I7	I7

	9	10	11	12
	ii7	V7	I7	V7

Memorize:

First measure is the I7 chord.
Second measure is the IV7 chord.
Third and fourth measures are the I7 chord.
Fifth and sixth measures are the IV7 chord.
Seventh and eighth measures are the I7 chord.
Ninth measure is the ii7 chord.
Tenth measure is the V7 chord.
Eleventh measure is the I7 chord.
Twelfth measure is the V7 chord.

There are many chord variations and chord types that are used within the twelve measures of the 12 bar jazz blues form.

Bass Lines used for the 12 bar jazz blues form can be the same bass lines used for the standard 12 bar blues form. (Use minor ideas on the ii7 chord.)

Memorize everything you can about the 12 bar jazz blues form, you might need it someday.

John Falstrom