A turnaround is the two-bar phrase at the end of a 12-bar (bars 11 and 12) that spins the music back to the top. This one is in A and uses a sound every blues player knows: a high note that stays put while a line under it walks down by half steps.
The high note is A on the e string, fret 5. Under it the B string falls G, F#, F, E (frets 8, 7, 6, 5): flat seven, six, flat six, five. Then you hit an open E7 chord, the V, which pulls straight back to A.
Low turnaround. The same idea an octave lower: the open A string rings while the D string walks down G, F#, F, E (frets 5, 4, 3, 2), then the E7. Use pinky, ring, middle and index for frets 5 to 2.
Fingering and picking
- Index on the 5th fret of the high e the whole time, or flatten it across the 5th fret of the high e and B strings for the last pair.
- On the B string: pinky on fret 8, ring on 7, middle on 6, index on 5.
- Pick both strings with a small downstroke, or use pick and middle finger for a cleaner pair.
The rhythm is a triplet shuffle: you strike each pair twice per beat, long then short (two triplets, then one).
The most common mistake is the high A dying out. Keep the index pressed and let it ring through every pair.
How to practice
Loop the first exercise slowly, listening for both notes each time. Then add the E7 and play it after any 12-bar you know. It should sound like a door closing and opening again.