The Jazz Blues Chord Progression - Step By Step - 12 Bar Blues to Jazz Blues Changes

In this jazz blues guitar lesson, I show you how to play a jazz blues chord progression. We start with a basic 12 bar blues and step by step turn it the regular blues changes into the jazz blues chord changes. Whether you are comping for someone else, playing solo jazz guitar, or learning to solo over the blues, the jazz blues chord progression will serve as a guide to cool sounds.
The jazz blues chord progression is one of the most important types of jazz chord progressions. It's been recorded on thousands of jazz records, and it's surprisingly challenging to play over.
When you are learning jazz guitar, it's important to get the sound of a "jazz blues" internalized. Eventually, you will draw upon the jazz-blues changes, even when you're playing over a standard blues.
Some of my favorite jazz chord books:
Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar Book 1: amzn.to/2NIt4LF
Mickey Baker Jazz Guitar Book 2: amzn.to/2YL8ssr
Ted Greene Chord Chemistry: amzn.to/2BnMd2U
I post all of my guitar lessons to birdsnakebrown.com/
0:00 Intro
0:18 Basic 12 Bar Blues Progression
0:48 Quick Change Blues Progression
1:28 3 note shell chord voicings
2:10 Adding the II-V jazz blues chord progression to bar 4
3:20 Voice leading in bar 4 of the blues
4:00 Adding iii-VI-ii-V-I jazz blues guitar chord changes in bar 8
4:56 Diminished in bar 6 of the jazz blues chord progression
5:24 Adding a jazz blues turnaround to bar 11-12
5:24 John Coltrane Turnaround jazz blues guitar chords
6:58 Using a I-VI-II-V turnaround in your jazz blues chord progression
7:50 Ending jazz blues on a major7 chord
8:04 Basic Jazz Blues Chord Progression example and thoughts
8:30 II-V-I guitar lick over the fourth bar in a jazz blues progression
8:46 Getting a jazz sound over the blues
9:35 The beauty of a regular blues changes
9:54 Jazz Blues Chord Progression Example Chord Changes
11:00 Final thoughts on the jazz blues chord changes
#jazzguitarlessons #JazzBlues #JazzBluesChordProgression
Jazz Blues Chord Progression | Jazz Blues changes | Jazz Blues Guitar Lesson

[@simondavies6270]

I just caught this lesson on KZbin and will probably for the next two week become my study material on guitar. Thank you its ever so useful. London, UK.

[@johnkurita3392]

I just found your lessons. Thanks very much for these. No wasted time, no ego BS, just clearly stated information edited extremely well with GREAT chord diagrams. So good. Liked and Subscribed.

[@petersmichaeld59]

Mr. Brown.....most appreciative for the voicing over the blues chord changes...chords in root position straight forward ..for comprehension ...very good analysis...grateful for the J.C. chord changes .....best addition....the simulated fretboard off to left side of screen....excellent tool for clarity. Most kind of you to share this ...

[@chromosomegun5845]

Hands down the best jazz blues lesson on the interwebs

[@dieterheinrich8377]

Really good. The chord charts are so helpful.

[@lauravecchione9964]

This is the absolute BEST building block explanation of these changes! So well laid out - THANK YOU!!!

[@760Piper]

What a great video. Clear, concise and a great intro in understanding the basic jazz blues. Thanks for putting this out there!!

[@victorwong9622]

We appreciate the extra effort that goes into providing chord diagrams!

[@ronaldvanjelgerhuis5949]

This is the first time I heard about the Coltrane turnaround. I really love the sound of it, it sounded so smooth going back to the 1 chord. Thank you!

[@barrypfoley]

The best style of teaching (anything guitar/bass, etc) I've seen in 20 years!

[@havenlane992]

Omg this is the best jazz blues tutorial I've ever watched man, thank you so much. I know the internet if full.of this 'best video' comment, but this really will up my game for brunch playing, I love Texas blues. But you can't throw srv for a brunch lol

[@larryhagman3543]

This is a fantastic lesson. Gives me months of tinkering right there. Really good the way it starts with a simpler version and gives more and more complexity. Brilliant for practicing with a backing track cause you can add a little more as you get better.

[@ChrisJCarter]

Thanks! Your video was exactly what I was looking for. I could never fully understand jazz blues progressions and now I do! You're a great teacher!

[@kilterkaos1]

This is THEE best introduction from blues into jazz I have seen on KZbin. Thanks for uploading it.

[@jimknopf0766]

This helps to get out of the search, building up a Jazz Blues Chord progression knowledge. Thanks so much for this!

[@Dmwilson1970]

So good. Exactly what I've been looking for. Great instruction!

[@Lomoholga2]

This is o e of the best guitar videos on the internet

[@barryc6100]

Mind. Blown. Thank you so much for this I needed this lesson so bad.

[@donlessnau3983]

Great stuff. Excellent explanation of what you're doing with extremely helpful diagrams to help visualize the music theory and applications. Thanks very much. Really well done.

[@perobergmangymnasieskolanv7274]

Amazingly easy explained for all kind of levels and it also open up for the mind to play solos in the chord boxes. Thank you Birdsnake Brown.

[@keatmurray7363]

This video is so well done, from start to finish. Excellent instruction.

[@dalecamden6877]

Great lesson, Really well delivered in an easily absorbable manner. Just changed my blues forever.I can never unhear this!

[@adamantoszewski3498]

Great insight, thanks dude. Love the tone of Coltrane turnaround.

[@alxesh4088]

tremendously helpful video thanks for sharing with us

[@deediddy]

Right on time for me. Thanks

[@stevewilson7915]

Very cool Buddy. Love that Coltrane turnaround. Sweet stuff. Thanks so much for helping me expand my jazz knowledge. I will be working on this till the wee hours tonight. Cheers and Happy New Year. 🍷🍷

[@telecasterock]

I've wanted to get a better understanding of this for quite some time. Your video instruction has been very helpful. Thanjks!

[@klippdachs]

Very clear and understandable explanations, even for a bluegrass - dork like me. So, all thumbs up, sir! Thanks a lot for posting this vid and for sharing your skills with us.

[@Chimp_No_1]

Really interesting and very helpful ! Thanks for sharing !

[@GJSsongsmith]

Nice job man . Very good build up from a basic start , something I’ve always taught my guitar students . Just subscribed , rock on 🤘 Gary

[@stevelavan69]

awesome seriously !!

[@anthonybelvin2085]

Thank you for sharing your music knowledge. I just watched your Coltrane jazz turnaround for the blues KZbin video. I'm going to have some fun tonight playing what I learned from you. I love the sound of your semi-hollow body guitars. Hopefully, I'll get to watch you play live someday somewhere in the DFW area. Rock on!

[@andreassomma9715]

I thank you Birdsnake Brown!

[@funkydave76]

Just found this, great lesson. Thank you

[@lorenvguitar614]

Great video, thank you

[@Waldvogel45]

Great teaching, and visually super effective.I can get a handle on the subject thanks to you.

[@longboardcarbon]

Thank you, great video, this is the first vid of you I’ve watched. It is a big help, thanks

[@allrelative3065]

Thanks for your work, this is incredible. Wish I was ready for this knowledge years ago. 👍👍

[@Roman-is4jj]

Great lesson, thank you.

[@Cillitbaaang]

That‘s gold thanks man!

[@bojanstojkovic3927]

Thanks so much mate, you're a great teacher!

[@tonyleeglenn]

This is a great lesson. Really appreciate the way you share your knowledge. First rate!

[@daveknow]

Love, Love that Coltrane turnaround!

[@lifeishealinghealthwellnes1979]

Good video review on jazz blues changes basics!

[@pschlosb]

Excellent video taking mystery out of jazzy changes

[@astrog7361]

Such a great video with great ideas explained really nicely. Thank you very much!

[@roycevaughn4012]

Great video thank you

[@simonsimonc]

Cracking lesson. Really nice and clear. Thank you.

[@sitgesstudio]

Awesome

[@theobuitendijk]

Superb thx very much

[@roballen49]

Thanks great lesson!

[@celadortraffic819]

Mate these are the best guitar lessons I've seen in all my years on the tube. The chord diagrams are exactly what is needed. Keep em coming, thank you kindly.

[@BirdsnakeBrown]

Thanks so much for the kind words! I really enjoy talking about this stuff and plan to continue producing lessons for the foreseeable future!

[@richardblackledge7402]

Great video.Very informative.

[@jonharley7715]

That's a very helpful session. The Coltrane reharmonisation for the turnaround is particularly tasteful. Thank you.

[@jamesanderson5393]

thank you I like what you teach and the way you do it, first time i checked out your jazz/blues, video it's fantastic.....

[@generaljj577]

Thank you very much.

[@galbaribeirodefaria6104]

It's grea! Thanks a lot!! From Brazil!!!

[@utherpendragon4227]

Succinct; helpful chord charts; exactly what I want from an online instruction video as an intermediate player look to explore jazz; subscribed

[@johnknight1816]

Thank you

[@mjl.9-19]

Thank you man you are a good teacher!

[@Poppagoat65]

Amazing lesson 🎉

[@souzaribeiroo]

awesome content!!!

[@jacquesguillo1518]

merci,merci beaucoup Très utile Cela m'aide beaucoup

[@pzdipuing]

Amazing,just amazing ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@kevinballard1004]

very cool

[@gonzalo783]

Amazing lesson. This video is a great summary of a few 100 pages books

[@fredericfournier5662]

Excellent cours de guitare. C'est bien expliqué et très instructif. Cette progression est vraiment intéressante. Merci !

[@alandomagalski7274]

Thanks!

[@thomasduffy2519]

Thanks so much. Best vid for me and my small knowledge of jazz. New sub !!!!

[@dahlavibez5726]

back again. yea feels like I'm just hanging with a cool teacher, cheers for the awesome blues changes I've unlocked a different side of me from this 🎶🎶🎶

[@martinmurray4514]

Wow! you are such a good teacher. And also thanks for the diagrams

[@bernhardkubel1418]

Very good lesson ! Thank you very much!

[@humanbeing5300]

This is a killer lesson that is very concise. It definitely helped me get to the next level of sophistication.

[@swaffy101]

This was so awesome! This helped me so much. I was struggling learning a Boz Scaggs song “Runnin’ Blue” and the changes were confusing me with horns going and I wasn’t getting right time on the changes. Thank you!

[@dougsmith8430]

What an outstanding lesson! I’m trying to grow in my understanding of music theory … have a feeling I’ll be visiting the site quite a bit! Thank you!

[@elliotjimenez5282]

Noice that Coltrane turnaround was icing on the cake thanks can’t wait to come up with some lines for that

[@jesseimpersonal]

That Coltrane influenced turnaround sounds wicked good. Thanks!

[@kutsbothways]

Great Lesson. A dear friend and guitar player showed me this some years ago, though some of the voicing a bit different and this segues beautifully into reharmonization. Which adds to the interest of what might be a simpIe progression. Your teaching styIe and content are both appreciated.

[@Triloplays]

This video is awesome! Thanks for the leasson. Cheers from brazil

[@leewilk100]

Thanks

[@1cleandude]

No BS No pun clear and concise BirdSnake!🙏🏻

[@callumcartymusic]

Brilliant lesson!

[@Siahaan_and_Co]

Good teaching, straight to the point of the lesson, thank you. Greetings from Jakarta, Indonesia. 🙏

[@grantonian4142]

Great lesson. Very clear.

[@jasperwagen6879]

Love this format of starting with a simple progression and developing, much better than smashing your face repeatedly into countess chord diagrams

[@jakobvalko561]

Dropping some real serious game here mate you're a legend for this!!!!!

[@mikehoehn5057]

Excellent

[@hamzarejeb8247]

thank you so much for this, i wanna pick up my instrument again now thanks to you

[@jean-lucbersou758]

interesting review to spice blues playing on guitar . It works well and meets my own practice with some refreshing recalls .Personally I choose another fingering to start the riff at 8 ' 38 .

[@willtonvannostrum6810]

Great lesson man! This helped me a lot. Thanks

[@nattyboyo2404]

What a bloody great lesson! 👍🏻👍🏻🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

[@1971diegote]

👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏Muy bien explicado 👏👏👏👏 saludos

[@Ronsharo]

Thanks allot. My first jazz progression.

[@Ronsharo]

Must add : the lesson was very good. Everything was clear and I learned more than just the progression. So thanks again.

[@marshallderriek1858]

Just stumbled in .. think I will stay and become a student .. thanks amigo

[@romepane7396]

Very lucid n vivid instructions

[@BirdsnakeBrown]

Thanks for watching :-)

[@LennyDiPaolo]

Very nice! I like just getting down to business.

[@JolyonPatten]

Wow, that was really good. I came for your Eastman 503 video and found this, and it's great. Thanks so much, Oh and have a a very Merry Christmas and a great New Year (I'm English and we haven't quite got to "Happy Holidays" yet)

[@BirdsnakeBrown]

Thank you!! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well! Thanks for watching :)

[@PeterKertesz2013]

Great lesson 🙏 (edit: 6:56 Coltrane Turnaround)

[@wrtwatch8576]

Best to teach in terms of Roman numeral chords...we can "take that anywhere" whereas "the chords" have to be refigured for other keys! Learning the underlying movement... universally stated, is the higher value lesson

[@laurieaspinall3706]

He did.

[@KiraPlaysGuitar]

That turnaround is so musical hahaha, very Steely Dan, also reminds me of Look Of Love - Burt Bacharach (the one in Austin Powers) that EbMaj7 to D7#9 sounds so uncanny I wonder if it's in the same key.

[@LostPlanet2024]

We really miss seeing you guys playing at Tap-In. Are Mondays Ft Worth Music Mafia gigs back on yet? (Don’t know because I am in Japan)