Chord theory behind Stevie Ray Vaughans "Pride And Joy" blues

[BobWestbrook]

I'm writing a song similar in sound and structure to Stevie Ray Vaughan's "Pride and Joy".

It's a basic 12 bar blues, of course, and the walking bass line I have no problem with.

My question is regarding what chord progression do I give to my keyboard player, who has little blues experience. Technically the chords are Eb7 Ab7 Bb7, but the bass is built primarily on a pentatonic minor scale. I do understand that in this style of music, the keyboard is often playing the major third while the bass is playing the minor third.

How do I best communicate to my keyboard player what chords to play?

[pocketgroove]

That would be a I-IV-V progression in the key of Eb. If he knows theory, he should understand that and be able to work with it.

Eb is the first of the scale, Ab is the 4th and Bb is the 5th.

In most cases (unless there are substitution chords being used for some reason), a 12-bar blues will be a I-IV-V progression.

[BobWestbrook]

Right - I know the progression - I'm just wondering if the keyboard player should be playing straight I7 IV7 V7 chords? (e.g. Eb G Bb Db)

[MalcolmAmos]

Depends on how he plays keyboard. With chord accompaniment he would/could be playing each chord with a combination of both hands in many different ways and or patterns, i.e. he may leave the melody to others and just play harmony. To do that he just needs to have some fake chord sheet music. http://www.mypianoworld.com/MyPianoW...ntpatterns.htm

Give him the chords I bet he will figure out the best way.

[Fergie Fulton]

Originally Posted by BobWestbrook

I do understand that in this style of music, the keyboard is often playing the major third while the bass is playing the minor third.

How do I best communicate to my keyboard player what chords to play?

Common mistake to make, the 7th can be implied because of the way the bass can be used in playing such lines. In blues changing from an implied 7th to a Dom 7 is a great way to change colours and texture in songs, especially solos.
In anything other than minor or chromatic blues look for the maj 3rd rather than a minor one as first choice.