Jazz lead sheet · Intermediate
Minor Blues in G
A 12-bar minor blues whose ♭VI7 to V7 move defines the dark, modern sound.
- Composer
- Traditional form
- Form
- 12-bar blues
- Key
- G minor
- Style
- Blues
- Length
- 12 bars
BluesG minor
i7G Dorian
i7G Dorian
i7G Dorian
i7G Dorian
iv7C Dorian
iv7C Dorian
i7G Dorian
i7G Dorian
subV7/VE♭ Lydian ♭7
V7D Altered
i7G Dorian
iiø7A Locrian
V7D Altered
For students
What to notice
- The tonic and the IV chord are both minor (Gm7, Cm7), which gives the form its minor colour.
- E♭7 in bar 9 slides down a half step to D7, a ♭VI7–V7 move that defines the minor blues.
- The last bar is a minor ii–V (Am7♭5–D7alt) that pulls back to Gm7 at the top.
Practice plan
Three steps to improvising
- Play G minor pentatonic over the whole form, then switch to D altered in bars 10 and 12.
- Arpeggiate E♭7 to D7 and hear the half-step pull in the bass.
- Take a two-bar phrase and adapt it to fit the iv chord.
For teachers
Using this chart in class
- Project the chart with Play along running and loop one section while students find the guide tones.
- Choose Practice → Name the numerals for a whole-class quiz: students vote, then reveal the explanation.
- Mixed ensemble? Print the worksheet once per transposition: B♭, E♭, F and bass clef parts all line up bar for bar.
- Share a link: the key, instrument and view you choose are saved in the address bar.
Chord changes are common performance versions written out by Music Theory Lessons. No melodies or lyrics are reproduced. Names of songs and composers are used only to identify each tune.