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 result? “Sick Saxophone Blues”—arranged, written, and performed by the students.
🎬 Watch the video here:
🎹 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
Why Teach the Blues?
✅ It’s accessible – Even beginners can write a blues song!
✅ It teaches storytelling – The AAB format encourages creativity and structure.
✅ It’s fun to perform – Students love the call-and-response feel of the blues.
Whether students write about real experiences or something silly, the blues is a great way to build confidence in songwriting and performance.
💬 What’s your favorite blues song? Have your students written a blues before? Let’s talk in the comments!