A Conversation for Writing a 12-Bar Blues
This is not the standard 12-bar blues
Jabberwock Started conversation Oct 14, 2005
...but a variation of it.
The basic version is simpler - i.e:
4 beats to the bar -
Amajor 234|A 234|A 234|A 234|Dmajor 234|D 234|A 234|A 234| Emajor7th 234| D 234|A 234| A 234 (= 12 bars)
More clearly: A- 4 bars, D - 2 bars, A - 2 bars, E7 - 1 bar, D - 1 bar, A - 2 bars. Then start again with A.
No matter that most blues are played in E, not A 
It's very important that the 9th bar should be a 7th, unlike as you suggest.
This is not the standard 12-bar blues
Gnomon - time to move on Posted Oct 14, 2005
What you've suggested here is only one chord different from what I've suggested: you have the second bar as A while I have it as D. I'd dispute that yours is the standard, although it is certainly simpler. As I said in the entry, there are lots of variations.
The seventh chord in the ninth bar is a nice touch. In fact you can put seventh chords just about anywhere to enhance the sound.
This is not the standard 12-bar blues
Jabberwock Posted Oct 14, 2005
No, I've missed out some of your 7ths, which are nice touches, as you say, but variations. The 7th I've included is crucial, as it's on the dominant, or 'top' chord, which has to be slightly 'flattened' or it sounds too strong and optimistic. This is the standard practice.
I like your article, but your blues pattern really isn't the standard, basic model.
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This is not the standard 12-bar blues
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