Songwriting - Recipe for a simple blues song

Song writing Lesson.
Recipe for an easy blues song.


3 lines per verse.  First and second lines are the same words.

The third line ends in a word that is a rhyme or near rhyme for the last word in the first lines.

The third line resolves or answers or somehow completes what was said in the previous 2 lines.

The first line is often about 12 syllables give or take a few syllables. The third line is about the same.

Classic example from John Lee Hooker

The chord structure shown can be used for many songs/
Here, I is a G, IV is a C and V is a D.

I read your (I) add this morning,
you said you want a real good man.

I read your (IV) add this morning,
you said you want a real good (I) man.

Now I’m (V)here for you honey and (IV) I wanna
know your (I) plan. (V)

Near rhyme – different song – same pattern:
If the river was whiskey and I was a diving duck. (x2)
I would swim to the bottom, drink my way back up.

Duck and up are NEAR RHYMES.


2 to 4 verses is a nice length
Songs often end by repeating a verse at the end.

Practice verses- you write the 3rd line:

I got a 3 string, a 4 string,
a deuce and a diddley bow. (x2)
__________________________________________

3rd line has to end in a rhyme or near rhyme for bow.
So: The grass is gittin long, I gotta go out and mow.
Better: I got 4 cbgs and I want to build some more.

I got tuners from Gitty
and a tail piece made of brass. (x2)

______________________________________________

I want to loop like bemuzic and pick like keni lee (x2)

__________________________________________

I want a Brickdust haircut and a hat like Uncle John (x2)

_________________________________________________________

Hope you get the idea, hope you have some fun.

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Comment by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 11, 2012 at 9:11pm
He-he-he-he...

Seriously, though, you're doin' a great service here, my friend.
Comment by The Professor on January 11, 2012 at 10:26am

John you are excellent value. Fantastic.

Comment by Uncle John on January 11, 2012 at 6:36am

Not bad, Bear.  Made me laugh.  

Ron, get your Oily ass off my grass!

Comment by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 11, 2012 at 1:58am

There once was an old man named John,

Whose admirers 'round him did fawn.

But he remained humble,

And quite oft did mumble

"You damned kids get offa my lawn!"

 

>:-E

Comment by bemuzic on January 11, 2012 at 1:51am

lol, you ARE worthy!!

Comment by Uncle John on January 11, 2012 at 1:45am

A verse regarding bemuzic's and Bug's songs with mention of me:

       Well, I do I feel proud/ but unworthy too.

       Yeah I feel proud/ but unworthy too.

       It's so fine to have/ good nation friends like you.

Comment by Uncle John on January 11, 2012 at 1:22am

JP and Clock,  

   I kind of hope this 15 minutes of fame passes soon.  But you, know...   I would look so good in the movies. 

    And that 1915 movie?  Not me.  I was still a toddler then.

Comment by Clock The Wolf on January 10, 2012 at 2:20pm

   "What next? Probably a movie, I'm guessin"-- JP Swenson

   There was a movie called Uncle John,  came out back in 1915 though.

   Probably not the same guy...  at least I hope it isn't the same guy!

   Nah,  couldn't be...

Comment by JP Swenson on January 10, 2012 at 1:23pm

......and the legend grows.......now they're writing songs about you in GB John!   What next?!   Probably a movie, I'm guessin'!

Comment by bemuzic on January 10, 2012 at 7:23am

thanks John : -)

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