12 Bar Blues in Open D Made Easy for Starters
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Learning the 12 bar blues is one of the best ways to get started with Open D tuning. The tuning itself (D–A–D–F#–A–D) naturally lends itself to slide guitar, open chords, and that raw bluesy vibe. In this post, we’ll walk you through a simple 12 bar blues progression using Open D, plus show you some riffs and rhythms to get going.
What is the 12 Bar Blues?
The 12 bar blues is a repeating chord progression used in thousands of songs. It’s made up of three chords:
I chord – Root (in Open D, that’s D)
IV chord – Fourth (in Open D, that’s G)
V chord – Fifth (in Open D, that’s A)
The structure typically goes like this:
| D | D | D | D |
| G | G | D | D |
| A | G | D | D |Easy Chord Shapes in Open D
In Open D tuning, you don’t need to finger full chords — just slide or barre across the fretboard.
D (I chord): Open strings or barre at 12th fret
G (IV chord): Barre at 5th fret
A (V chord): Barre at 7th fret
You can play these chords with your index finger or a slide for a more authentic sound.
Basic Rhythm to Try for 12 Bar Blues
A classic blues rhythm alternates between the chord and a “shuffle” note. Here’s a simple version using power chord shapes:
Strum the chord (e.g., open D)
Hammer-on or slide to the 4th fret on the D string
Return to the root and repeat in a groove
Play this pattern for each chord in the 12-bar progression.
Adding a Simple Turnaround (Open D Tuning)
A blues turnaround is a short riff at the end of the 12 bars to lead you back to the beginning. Here’s a simple one that works in Open D tuning:
D|------------------0---
A|--------------0h2-----
F#|----------0h1---------
D|------0h2-------------
A|--0h2-----------------
D|----------------------
This uses a combination of open strings and hammer-ons, keeping the vibe very “bluesy” and authentic to the tuning.
Tips for 12 Bar Blues on a Slide Guitar
Use a glass or metal slide on your ring or pinky
Keep the slide parallel to the fret
Don’t press down — let it glide lightly
Use your index/middle fingers behind the slide to mute unwanted noise
Practice Ideas
Loop the 12 bar progression with a looper pedal or backing track
Try different rhythms (straight, shuffle, slow blues)
Add simple fills between chord changes
Record yourself to track progress
Final Thoughts
Open D tuning makes the 12 bar blues more approachable, especially if you’re just starting out. You don’t need complex fingerings — just a good groove, some simple shapes, and a bit of feel.
