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 7, 2012 at 2:05am

Got mah tunin' gears from Gitty, piece o' brass plate fo' mah tail

Got mah tunin' gears from Gitty, piece o' brass plate fo' mah tail

Hadda sell 'em all t' bail mah mama's drunk ass outta jail

 

>:-E

Comment by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 7, 2012 at 2:01am

Well, mah mama has a pickup, that she don't drive too well

Lawd, mah mama has a pickup,  but she don't drive too well

'Cuz when she get to drinkin', take the train back to her cell.

 

>:-E

Comment by jabes on January 7, 2012 at 1:05am

that's fun,

Comment by Madurobob on January 5, 2012 at 5:27pm

Aren't you s'posed to say somethin' about mama, pickup trucks, prison, trains and/or getting drunk?

Oh wait, thats Country songs...

And yes, I think its about time I wrote down some of the songs tumbling through my mind.

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