CHORD NUMBERING SYSTEM & TRANSPOSING

By learning a simple system, we will now learn to play the Blues in any key.

The 12-bar Blues in the earlier example is in the key of G. Notice that only 3 chords are used: G7, C7 and D7.

G is the first degree in the key of G. Let’s number the G7 chord “1.”

C is the fourth degree in the key of G (G = 1; A = 2; B = 3). Let’s number the C7 chord “4.”

D is the fifth degree in the key of G. Let’s number the D7 chord “5.”

In the Blues in G example, indicate the numbers 1, 4 and 5 above the chords G7, C7 and D7 respectively.

Looking only at the numbers, now, let’s create a Blues in the key of E:

The first degree in the key of E is (take a wild guess!)...E.

The fourth degree is (count: E = 1; F# = 2; G# = 3)...A

The fifth degree is...B

Wherever you see a “1” on your page, indicate an E7. Where there is a “4,” indicate an A7; and a B7 for “5.”

You have now transposed the Blues in G example to a Blues in E and should have the following:

E7 | A7 | E7 | E7 | A7 | A7 | E7 | E7 | B7 | A7 | E 7 | B7 (or E7 to end) ||

By using this system, you can transpose the Blues to any key!

The three chords of the Blues are known as 1, 4 and 5, but the Blues is only one of several 1-4-5 chord progressions (traditionally notated with roman numerals “I-IV-V”).

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