Blues in A (12 bars) — fingerstyle
The A7, D7, E7 progression played fingerstyle: the thumb covers the bass note of each chord while the index, middle and ring finger pick the treble strings in rhythm, no pick involved.
Tips
Keep the thumb perfectly steady on the bass notes before worrying about the fingers: it's what holds the whole pattern's tempo together.
Understanding this type of exercise
Bass with the thumb, chord with the fingers
The same grid without a pick: the thumb plays the root of each chord (E, A, B), the index, middle and ring finger pick the treble strings in rhythm. See fingerstyle.
Practical tips and common mistakes
- Assign one finger per string and stick to it — thumb on the bass, index / middle / ring on the treble.
- Work the thumb bass alone across the whole grid before adding the fingers.
- Anchor the hand: lightly rest the pinky or the side of the palm near the bridge.
Chord progression — A
Bar 1
A7
I
Bar 2
A7
I
Bar 3
A7
I
Bar 4
A7
I
Bar 5
D7
IV
Bar 6
D7
IV
Bar 7
A7
I
Bar 8
A7
I
Bar 9
E7
V
Bar 10
D7
IV
Bar 11
A7
I
Bar 12
E7
V
Chords
The same exercise in other keys
Related sheets
- Blues in A (12 bars) — syncopated rhythm (Level 4)
- Wide exploration riff — F# minor (Level 4)
- Blues in A (12 bars) — syncopated muted strums (Level 4)