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6.10.6 12 Bar Blues Progression and the "Turnaround" in Music
The 12-bar blues progression has three 4-bar phrases, like this.
I – I – I – I
IV – IV – I – I
V – IV – I – V
There are several common variations. The first phrase may go like this:
I – IV – I – I
The last phrase my go like this:
V – V – I – V
Or this:
V – V – I – I
If the 12th chord is a V chord or V7 chord, it's called a turnaround or turnback Figure 79), as it creates harmonic propulsion (a half cadence) that resolves to the tonic chord at the beginning of the next verse.
FIGURE 79: Chord Map of 12-bar Blues with Turnaround
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