Twelve-bar blues

The twelve-bar blues is a common musical structure used in blues music, consisting of 12 measures or bars that follow a specific chord progression. Typically, it uses three chords: the I (home chord), IV (subdominant), and V (dominant). The pattern often repeats throughout a song, creating a sense of familiarity and groove. The form provides a foundation for improvisation and expressive melodies, and its cyclical nature helps evoke emotion and storytelling. This structure has influenced many genres, making it a fundamental building block in popular music.