[ldnichls]

My first post! I am teaching a young guy, I know a tune in Bluegrass called Blue Ridge Cabin Home that just rolls steadily thru, e.g., G,C,D...or C,F, G7. THere is never a different rotation. What is a 'less country' tune that is that simple?? Thanks

[coldethyl]

Hello and welcome to the forum Idnichls!

I'm afraid I'm no help to you on your question, but no doubt someone will be along that can help you. This is not only a user friendly site but also a very helpful one, as you'll soon discover.

[Cliff]

Well being a Beatle's fan, I use to like playing "Twist and Shout" as a kid. Pretty much the same chords C, F, G7.

[Fretsource]

There are many songs that use what's known as the "I VI IV V (or I VI II V) sequence" (named from the scale degrees). A lot of those 50s 'Neil Sedaka type' songs rely on it (e.g., oh Carol). It's also used in Happiness is a warm Gun and This Boy by the Beatles
Example in G = G Em C (or Am7) D(7)

The basic 12 bar blues sequence uses three chords- Speed up the rhythm to get Rock & Roll - Bill Haley, Elvis type songs.
e.g - Blue Suede Shoes (and a million others) in A
A---A---A---A---
D---D---A---A---
E---D---A---E7---||
Add 7ths and slow it down to sound bluesy
Add 9ths and it will sound jazzy

Another rock sequence is known as "I IV V IV" as in Wild thing by the Troggs or Dig it by the Beatles
e.g in E major = E---A---B---A---||

[hb]

I'm fairly new at the guitar, but one that was easy to play and easy to hear in your head was "Love me Tender". It is basically C-D- and a three string F chord. It has a couple of 7th's thrown in the middle, but they're pretty simple. I know it's not an exact answer to your question, but thought it might help. I think I got it off Kirk's lessons.
hb

[randomaire]

Hey fret, I've seen different versions of the 12 bar blues.. is it changeable or is there only one right way?

[Fretsource]

Yes Random - there are variations. For example the second bar (measure) can be chord IV instead of I and the last chord can be chord I instead of V
e.g. in A
A7---D7---A7---A7---
D7---D7---A7---A7---
E7---D7---A7---A7---||

Also there's 12 bar MINOR blues, such as
Am7---Dm7---Am7---Am7---
Dm7---Dm7---Am7---Am7---
Em7 (or E7)---Dm7---Am7---Am7---||

And there's a variation on that one such as in "The thrill is gone"

Am7---Am7---Am7---Am7
Dm7---Dm7---Am7---Am7
F7---E7---Am7---E7

And some of those very early Delta bluesmen seem to stay on chord I for ages - long after you're expecting chord IV to have appeared.

[randomaire]

Very helpful there with that Fret.. thank ya!

Am noticing a pattern there though.