The basic elements of a song can be divided into these categories:
The standard blues form is 12 measure (bars) long, consists of three four measure phrases, and follows this chord progression:
The Blues uses the I, IV, and V chords. They are usually played as a Major-Minor Seven chord, rather than a triad. A blues in F would use these chords:
We'll use notes from the Rock Blues scale (1 b3 3 5 6 b7 1) to create our melodies. In a Blues in F, measures using the I chord will use notes from the F rock blues scale. Measures using the IV chord will use notes from the Bb rock blues scale. Measures using the V chord will use notes from the C rock blues scale. Notes 1,3,5, b7outline the major-minor seventh chord.
F Rock Blues Scale |
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| Bb Rock Blues Scale |  |
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| C Rock Blues Scale |  |
We'll plan the rhythm of the melody before we write in the notes. To keep the melody simple we'll use this pattern in every measure. Note that the rhythm is written as eighth notes but is performed as swing eighth notes.
Here are 12 variations on Simple Blues in F. Each one uses the same right hand melody, but varies the left hand accompaniment style.
Simple Blues 1
Simple Blues 2
Simple Blues 4
Simple Blues 5
Simple Blues 7
Simple Blues 3
Simple Blues 6
Simple Blues 8
Simple Blues 9
Simple Blues 10
Simple Blues 11
Simple Blues 12
Simple Blues 13
The final version has a varied melody, bass, and instrumentation.
Revised by John Ellinger, Spring 2012.