How to Construct a Blues Song
The Blues were originally songs written by African slaves to portray their sad experiences in life. The main instrument used then was the Harmonica. The Blues then later developed into Rhythm and Blues (R&B). This article will show you how to construct your own blues song.
[edit] Steps
- Decide which chords you will use. Blues songs only use 3 chords: a main chord, and the 4th, and 5th chords from the main one. The chords are ABCDEFG.
- Example: If A will be the main chord, the fourth would be D, and the fifth would be E.
- Write the first bar using the main chord. There is only one chord per bar. There are four beats in a bar.
- Example: First bar is A A A A |
The '|' indicates the start of a new bar.
- Example: First bar is A A A A |
- The second bar will feature the fourth chord.
- Example: A A A A | D D D D |
- The third and fourth bars feature the first chord.
- Example: A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A |
- The fifth and sixth bars feature the 4th chord.
- Example: A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | D D D D | D D D D |
- The seventh and eighth bars have the first chord again.
- Example: A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | D D D D | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A |
- The nineth bar uses the fifth chord.
- Example: A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | D D D D | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | E E E E |.
- The tenth bar uses the fourth chord, and the eleventh bar uses the first.
- Example: A A A A | A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | D D D D | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | E E E E | D D D D | A A A A |.
- The final chord uses either the fifth chord to repeat the verse, or the first chord to end the song.
- Example: A A A A | A A A A | D D D D | A A A A | D D D D | D D D D | A A A A | A A A A | E E E E | D D D D | A A A A | (A A A A / E E E E).
- Add lyrics to your song: (optional)
- In the first bar, use a statement (Example: It's a rainy day.)
- In the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, use an add-on. (Example: and I hate it.)
- Repeat the same process (using different words if you want) for the 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th bars.
- For the 9th bar, use a result of the statement.
- For the 10th, 11th and 12th bars use a conclusion.
[edit] Tips
- A blues tune, whether a sad or jolly tune, can make a good backing to a solo. In this case, lyrics are not necessary.
- Experiment with different chord combinations to get a sound that you like.
