IntermediatebluesKey: Bm90 BPM4/4

How to Practice The Thrill Is Gone

B.B. King's 'The Thrill Is Gone' is one of the most-played electric blues standards ever recorded. The minor-key blues progression, B.B.'s iconic guitar tone, and the heartbroken lyric have made it a cornerstone of blues repertoire for over fifty years.

Song Details

Key
Bm
Tempo
90 BPM
Time
4/4
Style
boom-chuck

Structure

12-BarBm | Bm | Bm | Bm | Em | Em | Bm | Bm | F#7 | Em | Bm | F#7

What to Focus On

Minor-key blues progression in Bm. Slow blues tempo. Singing the heartbroken lyric with restrained emotion.

Practice Tips

  1. 1

    The minor blues progression is different from the major 12-bar. Learn the changes carefully.

  2. 2

    B.B.'s vocal is restrained and committed. Don't oversing it.

  3. 3

    The guitar tone is iconic — clean, with vibrato. If playing lead, study B.B.'s phrasing.

Why This Song

It's the great electric blues ballad — and a B.B. King masterpiece.

Practice The Thrill Is Gone Daily

Repertoire uses spaced repetition to keep your songs sharp. Add this song to your collection and the system schedules your practice automatically.

No credit card required • 1 free practice session per day