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How Long (8-Bar) · Blues

B7 · F#7 · E7 · E7 · B7 · F#7 · B7 · F#7

I7 · V7 · IV7 in the key of B

The eight-bar blues. It comes round sooner than the twelve-bar, which gives it a restless feel, and it is the one to learn second.

Four bars of how long (8-bar) in the key of B, written I7 · V7 · IV7 and played half notes over a half-time groove at around 96 beats per minute. The chord shapes are below, and you can hear the whole thing play (and slow it down) without an account.

Chord diagrams for B7, F#7, E7, E7, B7, F#7, B7, F#7 (I7 · V7 · IV7 in B)

Practice this progression →

Opens in the Progression Lab. No account, nothing to sign in to. Ten minutes of playback a day, and an hour with a free account.

How it should feel

Strum
Half notes
Groove
Half-time
Tempo
96 bpm
Key
B
Voicings
Sparkle

Small, bright voicings high on the top strings — the second-guitar part.

The shapes

Low E on the left, high e on the right. 0 is an open string, × is one you do not play.

ChordEADGBe
B7 ××9111011
F#7 ××11111112
E7 ××99910
E7 ××99910
B7 ××9111011
F#7 ××11111112
B7 ××9111011
F#7 ××11111112

More Blues

Posted . Part of a growing library of guitar chord progressions.