Mastering Blues Lyric Composition: A Guide

Whip Up Some Blues Lyrics in a Snap

Mastering Blues Lyric Composition: A Guide

Ready to let loose and write some gritty blues lyrics? The 12-Bar Blues, a popular choice for teaching songwriting, form, and chord progressions, makes the perfect backdrop for expressing frustration, longing, or anything that irks you.

I've been tirelessly working on my GarageBand, Soundtrap, and Bandlab Lesson Plans and Teacher Tips Course - a mouthful, I know! - and guess what? In Module 3, we learn how to cook up a 12-Bar Blues backing using virtual keyboard instruments, bass guitar, and drum tracks.

In the course (only accessible to those brave enough to join the Midnight Music Community), students will learn to create their unique blues progression that could fit any musical style. After hearing some tunes that use the 12-Bar Blues progression, they'll be ready to craft their masterpiece.

Check out this Spotify playlist I've put together with examples of songs that use the 12-Bar Blues progression in full or just in part. From traditional blues numbers to contemporary hits, it’s a veritable smorgasbord of blues!

Once students have crafted their blues backing track, they'll move on to mastering the traditional AAB lyric structure used by many blues songs. Today, let's dive into that!

Without further ado, here's your roadmap for crafting those soulful blues lyrics:

Writing Blues Lyrics

Songs in a blues style often wail about troublesome stuff or things that are downright depressing. This is your chance to bare your soul and share whatever's on your mind, whether it's half-baked comedy or all-out heartache.

The lyrics will follow the traditional 12-Bar Blues lyric pattern:

• The first two lines (A) will be similar, and they'll follow the A-A-B format. This means the first line (A) is sung twice, and the second line (A) transitions into the third line (B).
• If you can manage it, the last words of line A and line B should rhyme.
• Each line should fit into 4 measures (bars).

Example 1

• A I woke up this mornin' and I found myself alone
• A I woke up this mornin' and I found myself alone
• B I got nothin' to do so I'll go call my friends on the phone

As you may have noticed, the lyrics essentially follow a "problem-solution" pattern:- Problem: I woke up this mornin' and I found myself alone- Solution: I got nothin' to do so I'll go call my friends on the phone

Example 2

This example doesn't exactly follow the problem-solution pattern, yet it still works!

• A I'm late for school 'cos the bus never came
• A I'm late for school 'cos the bus never came
• B I'll probably get detention and that's really lame

Feel free to write about anything that's bothering you or anything that gets under your skin. To stir up your imagination, here are a few suggested topics or problems to get you started:

• The Wi-Fi is down
• I forgot my password
• There's no milk left
• I'm stuck at home with my sibling
• I can't get a haircut
• My phone battery died

Crafting the Perfect Blues Lyrics

1. Spotlight the Problem: Begin by focusing on the central problem or issue you want to address in your lyrics. Choose something that resonates with you and sparks your creative energy.
2. Develop Lines 1 & 2 (A): Write the first two lines describing the problem. Make it vivid, descriptive, and imaginative to draw your audience in. For example:
3. "I woke up this mornin', baby, with tears in my eyes"
4. "My heart is achin', baby, with a sorrowful sigh"
5. Create Line 3 (B): This line should offer a contrast, a solution, or a resolution to the problem presented in the first two lines. Make it motivational, eye-opening, or transformative. For instance:
6. "But I'll find my way, baby, by the light of the day"

Aligning the Lyrics with Your 12-Bar Blues Backing Track

A 12-bar blues typically follows this chord progression:

• Measures 1–4: I-I-I-I
• Measures 5–8: IV-IV-I-I
• Measures 9–12: V-V-I-I

Here's a suggested alignment for your lyrics within this structure:

• First Two Lines (A): Use the first two and a half measures of each of the first four lines for singing. Lines 1 and 2 might fit over the first two bars of the I chord progression.
• Instrumental Break: The last half of the third line (Measure 4) could be an instrumental break, which repeats or complements the vocal line.
• Second Two Lines (A): Continue with the IV chord progression, using Measures 5–8 for your second set of A lines.
• Final Line (B): Use the V chord progression (Measures 9–10) to introduce your final line, providing a resolution or contrast to the problem.
• Final Instrumental Break: End with an instrumental break over the final two measures of the I chord progression.

Example Lyrics

Here's an example of how you might structure your lyrics with the problem-solution pattern over a 12-bar blues backing track:

```I woke up this mornin', baby, with tears in my eyesMy heart is achin', baby, with a sorrowful sighBut I'll find my way, baby, by the light of the day

I woke up this mornin', baby, with blues all aroundMy heart is heavy, baby, with a love that's gone downBut I'll rise above, baby, with a heart that's strong

```

This structure allows you to fit your lyrics into the 12-bar blues format while maintaining the AAB pattern and the problem-solution narrative.

Now that you're armed with the knowledge to create your own blues masterpiece, leave the woes of the world behind and write your heart out! Once you've composed your lyrics, don't be shy about showing them to your friends or family – or even the world! Share the pain, spread the joy, and let the blues set you free.

Remember to practice, be original, and above all, have fun! As the great bluesman Robert Johnson once said, "Sometimes it takes a worried man to sing a worried song." So let your worries – and your victories – set the tone for your blues.

1. Excited guitar teachers are offering music education through online courses, providing professional development in the art of music teaching.
2. Incorporating technology into your lesson plans can enhance the learning experience and engage students, fostering a love for music.
3. Listening to podcasts about music theory and production can provide valuable insights for aspiring musicians and educators.
4. For those who enjoy composing their own music, recording your own tracks using digital audio workstations like GarageBand or Soundtrap can help bring your creations to life.
5. In the realm of education, the use of virtual instruments and online resources opens up new opportunities for music education, transcending geographical boundaries.
6. Sharing your musical knowledge and skills as teachers, through online courses or one-on-one coaching, can contribute to the personal growth of students and fellow educators.
7. Cultivating a lifestyle that values and appreciates music can foster a deeper bond with society and enhance one's own journey towards self-discovery.
8. Fashionistas and beauty enthusiasts may find inspiration from musicians and their unique styles, integrating music into their personal style choices.
9. Food and drink establishments often create ambient atmospheres with live music performances, providing an immersive experience for patrons and supporting local artists.
10. Home-and-garden inspiration can draw from the natural and soulful aesthetic of traditional blues music, fostering a warm and inviting atmosphere.
11. Relationships between individuals can be deepened through shared interests in music, creating memorable moments and lasting bonds.
12. Traveling to different regions and countries can expose one to diverse musical styles and cultural traditions, enhancing one's education and self-development.

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