This article was co-authored by Tanisha Hall. Tanisha Hall is a Vocal Coach and the Founder and Executive Director of White Hall Arts Academy, Inc. an organization based in Los Angeles, California that offers a multi-level curriculum focused on fundamental skills, technique, composition, theory, artistry, and performance at a conservatory level. Ms. Hall's current and previous students include Galimatias, Sanai Victoria, Ant Clemons, and Paloma Ford. She earned a BA in Music from the Berklee College of Music in 1998 and was a recipient of the Music Business Management Achievement Award. This article has been viewed 161,281 times.

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Blues songs are popular for their slow, melancholy feel and expressive lyrics. Think of an emotional theme for your blues song, like heartache, depression, or loneliness. Use 4-line verses where the 2nd line repeats the first for a classic blues structure. Make your 4th line rhyme with the first 2 if you can, but this isn’t necessary. Once you’ve written your lyrics, try setting them to a 12-bar blues chord sequence. Fortunately, you’ll only need to use the 1st, 4th, and 5th chords of a key. Experiment with different key signatures until you find one that fits. For example, in the key of C major, you only need to use chords C, F, and G. A common 12-bar blues song will use chords 1, 4, 5, and 1 again for each line of the verse. For more tips, including how to record and share your blues song, read on!