The blues is one of the most influential and enduring song forms in modern music. It’s the foundation of rock, jazz, country, R&B, and more and writing a blues song is one of the best ways for students to experiment with lyrics, rhythm, and storytelling in a simple but powerful format.
What is Traditional Blues Form?
Traditional blues follows a 12-bar structure with an AAB lyric pattern:
A: First line states a thought or feeling.
A: The second line repeats the first (sometimes with a slight variation).
B: The third line resolves the idea, often with a twist or conclusion.
Example:
I hate to see, the evenin’ sun go down (A)
Hate the see, the evenin’ sun go down (A)
Cause my baby, has done left this town. (B)
Student Handout: Writing a Four-Chorus Blues Song
To guide students in writing their own blues lyrics, we’ve created a handout where they can develop a four-chorus blues song using the AAB format. Each chorus can tell a new part of the story or expand on the main theme.
This handout is based on the story structure of the “How to Rap” Video, which also works perfectly for a blues song story structure.
Student Example: “Sick Saxophone Blues”
At a recent All-Region event, a group of students came together to write and perform an original blues song. The “Sick Saxophone Blues” - arranged, written, and performed by the students.
Blues Chord Progression & Background Tracks
The 12-bar blues progression is simple but powerful. Here’s a basic chord structure in C major:
C7 | C7 | C7 | C7
F7 | F7 | C7 | C7
G7 | F7 | C7 | G7
And in Roman Numerals
I7 | I7 | I7 | I7
IV7 | IV7 | I7 | I7
V7 | IV7 | I7 | I7
This same pattern works in all 12 keys—and we’ve got background tracks in multiple keys and styles to help students put their lyrics to music!
Download Blues Backing Tracks in All 12 Keys