Uploaded September 2017 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
8-Bar Blues
Most people are familiar with the 12-Bar Blues form, but the 8-Bar Blues is less common. There are numerous variations on the progression, but I’ll provide a few of the many examples.
Again, a bar is a measure in music, so this will be a 8 measure chord progression that keeps repeating.
As you can see from the examples, there is a lot of variation within the chord progressions from song to song. The progressions in these examples are still based on the I-IV-V chord progression, but other variations can occur.
The main difference between the 12-Bar and 8-Bar Blues progressions is the time it takes for them to resolve. The 12-Bar Blues form stays closer to a specific, generic pattern, while the 8-Bar Blues explores more boundaries and therefore has a lot more variation. The 12-Bar Blues has a “standard” progression, while the 8-Bar Blues does not.
Cryin’: Eric Clapton (Key of “A” I = A, IV = D, V = E)
| A | E | D | D | A | E | A | E |
| I | V | IV | IV | I | V | I | V |
A7 E7
She is cryin', she is cryin'.
D7
She's been cryin' all night long.
A7 E7 A7 E7 A7
She's been cryin' for her one and only son.
I covered this song for channel. Here’s the link. youtube.com/watch?v=YV-AXK03WSo&list=PLfMZMmVaT-Bp3uTNw2fZQVecISEBYLRWo&index=2
Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley (Key of “E” I = E, IV = A, V = B)
| E | E | E | E | A | A | B | E |
| I | I | I | I | IV | IV | V | I |
E
Well, since my baby left me,
I found a new place to dwell.
E7
It’s down at the end of lonely street
E
At heartbreak hotel.
A7
You make me so lonely baby,
I get so lonely,
B7 E
I get so lonely I could die.
Key To The Highway: Big Bill Broonzy and various artists (Key of “A” I = A, IV = D, V = E)
| A | E | D | D | A | E | A | E |
| I | V | IV | IV | I | V | I | V |
A E D D7 A
I got the key to the highway, I'm booked out and bound to go, I'm gonna leave
E A E
here running, ain't coming back no more
Sitting on Top Of The World: Doc Watson (Key of “E” I = E, IV = A, V = B)
| E | E7 | A | E | B7 | E | E B7 | E |
| I | I | IV | I | V | I | I V | I |
E E7
'Twas in the spring one sunny day
A E
My sweetheart left me, Lord, she went away
E B7
And now she's gone and I dont' worry
E B7 E
Lord, I'm sitting on top of the world
Get A Haircut And Get A Real Job: George Thoroughgood (Key of “G” I = G, IV = C, V = D)
| G | G | G | G | C | C | D | D |
| I | I | I | I | IV | IV | V | V |
G
Get a haircut and get a real job.
Clean your act up and don't be a slob.
C
Get it together like your big brother Bob.
D
Why don't you get a haircut and get a real job.
Cross To Bear: Allman Brothers
It Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do: Standard
8-Bar Blues
Most people are familiar with the 12-Bar Blues form, but the 8-Bar Blues is less common. There are numerous variations on the progression, but I’ll provide a few of the many examples.
Again, a bar is a measure in music, so this will be a 8 measure chord progression that keeps repeating.
As you can see from the examples, there is a lot of variation within the chord progressions from song to song. The progressions in these examples are still based on the I-IV-V chord progression, but other variations can occur.
The main difference between the 12-Bar and 8-Bar Blues progressions is the time it takes for them to resolve. The 12-Bar Blues form stays closer to a specific, generic pattern, while the 8-Bar Blues explores more boundaries and therefore has a lot more variation. The 12-Bar Blues has a “standard” progression, while the 8-Bar Blues does not.
Cryin’: Eric Clapton (Key of “A” I = A, IV = D, V = E)
| A | E | D | D | A | E | A | E |
| I | V | IV | IV | I | V | I | V |
A7 E7
She is cryin', she is cryin'.
D7
She's been cryin' all night long.
A7 E7 A7 E7 A7
She's been cryin' for her one and only son.
I covered this song for channel. Here’s the link. youtube.com/watch?v=YV-AXK03WSo&list=PLfMZMmVaT-Bp3uTNw2fZQVecISEBYLRWo&index=2
Heartbreak Hotel: Elvis Presley (Key of “E” I = E, IV = A, V = B)
| E | E | E | E | A | A | B | E |
| I | I | I | I | IV | IV | V | I |
E
Well, since my baby left me,
I found a new place to dwell.
E7
It’s down at the end of lonely street
E
At heartbreak hotel.
A7
You make me so lonely baby,
I get so lonely,
B7 E
I get so lonely I could die.
Key To The Highway: Big Bill Broonzy and various artists (Key of “A” I = A, IV = D, V = E)
| A | E | D | D | A | E | A | E |
| I | V | IV | IV | I | V | I | V |
A E D D7 A
I got the key to the highway, I'm booked out and bound to go, I'm gonna leave
E A E
here running, ain't coming back no more
Sitting on Top Of The World: Doc Watson (Key of “E” I = E, IV = A, V = B)
| E | E7 | A | E | B7 | E | E B7 | E |
| I | I | IV | I | V | I | I V | I |
E E7
'Twas in the spring one sunny day
A E
My sweetheart left me, Lord, she went away
E B7
And now she's gone and I dont' worry
E B7 E
Lord, I'm sitting on top of the world
Get A Haircut And Get A Real Job: George Thoroughgood (Key of “G” I = G, IV = C, V = D)
| G | G | G | G | C | C | D | D |
| I | I | I | I | IV | IV | V | V |
G
Get a haircut and get a real job.
Clean your act up and don't be a slob.
C
Get it together like your big brother Bob.
D
Why don't you get a haircut and get a real job.
Cross To Bear: Allman Brothers
It Ain’t Nobody’s Business If I Do: Standard
