Content

• Steps
• Tips
• What do you need

The blues was originally shaped by slaves from Africa. He described their sad life experiences. The main instrument in blues is the harmonica. Later, the blues turned into rhythm and blues (R&B). This article will show you how to write your own blues song.

Steps

1. 1 Select the chords to use. In blues, only 3 chords are used: the main chord, then the 4th and 5th in a row from the main chord. Chords A (A), B (B), C (C), D (D), E (E), F (FA), G (G).
   • Example: if the main chord is A (a), then the 4th in a row will be D (d), and the 5th chord will be E (mi).
2. 2 Begin the first measure with the root chord. Each measure should have 4 beats of one chord.
   • Example: first measure A A A A (A) |
     '|' Denotes the start of a new measure.
3. 3 In the second measure, the transition to the 4th chord.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) |
4. 4 In the third and fourth measures, we return to the main chord.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) |
5. 5 The fifth and sixth are the 4th chord.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | D D D D (pe) |
6. 6 In the seventh and eighth measures, the 1st chord is again.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) |
7. 7 The ninth measure uses the 5th chord.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | E E E E (mi) |.
8. 8 The tenth measure uses the 4th chord, and the eleventh the 1st.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | E E E E (mi) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) |.
9. 9 The last measure has two options - either 1st chord to end the song, or 5th chord to repeat the verse.
   • Example: A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | D D D D (pe) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | A A A A (la) | E E E E (mi) | D D D D (pe) | A A A A (la) | (A A A A (la) / E E E E (mi)).
10. 10 Try to write a solo. You can use a blues scale (in the key of A (A) this is A (A) C (C) D (D) D # E (E) G (G) A (A)).
11. 11 Write the lyrics to the song: (optional)
    1. In the first measure, use a statement. (Example: Today the rain).
    2. In the second, third and fourth - addition. (Example: I hate this kind of weather).
    3. Repeat this process (with other words) in the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth measures.
    4. In the ninth bar, describe the outcome of the statement.
    5. In the tenth, eleventh and twelfth bars - the conclusion.

Tips

• Try different combinations of chords to get the best sound.
• A blues melody, whether sad or cheerful, will serve as a good backdrop for a solo. In this case, the words are not that important.

What do you need

• Musical instrument.
• Basic musical knowledge.
• Paper.
• Pen.