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Here's the 12 Bar Blues Form... one bar for each chord symbol (roman numerals):

I I I I
IV IV I I
V IV I V

The only place where four bars of the same chord happens is in the first four bars (first line). So, if you don't hear any movement to another chord from the band for more than two bars, you know you're somewhere in the first part of the form.

In the second line, the IV Chord lasts for two bars and then the I Chord for two bars. If you hear two bars and then a chord change, then you're somewhere between bars 5 and 9. continue reading...

I'm now back from SPAH (spah.org) and it was another great trip. They'll be in Denver next year, so I hope you can make it... I enjoy spending time with everyone there.

Big Al Blake shared this article with me and I though you would enjoy it.

Why Nerdy White Guys Who Love the Blues Are Obsessed With a Wisconsin Chair Factory
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/why-nerdy-white-guys-who-love-t...

The 4 draw shake (alternating between 4 draw and 5 draw) is a sound that universally works anywhere in the blues. So, when in doubt of what to play, shake!

Al Blake, born as Alan Blake Eliel, shot into the world January 16, 1945 on a marine corps base near Klamath Falls, Oregon. While later growing up during the early 50s in Oklahoma, the Blues began tugging at his heart under the influence of his black nanny Ruby Anderson. She used to pack him over to the other side of the tracks where her small house sat nestled near Oklahoma City. Down the street from Ruby's house was a small general store where a hi-fi, with a large outdoor speaker, loudly played the Deep Southern Blues while people listened and danced there on a daily basis. continue reading...