Jazz structures

32-bar blues structures

• A (8 Bars): The main melody and chord progression.

• A (8 Bars): The main melody repeats.

• B (8 Bars): A contrasting musical section that creates tension and builds to a new key.

• A (8 Bars): The main melody returns to resolve the song.

12-bar blues structure

• A (4 bars): Main melody / punchline is sung, usually based around chord I.

• A (4 bars): Either lyrics or melody (or both) is repeated but with chord IV usually heard, then chord I again.

• B (4 bars): New melody / lyrics are heard for two bars, then the original melody. Chord V is heard, then chord IV, and then chord I providing resolution.

Verse-chorus structure

• Verse: Advances the narrative. The lyrics change each time, but the underlying music stays the same. It is usually lower in energy.

• Pre-Chorus: A short, transitional section. It builds harmonic tension to launch into the main hook.

• Chorus: The emotional core and main hook of the song. The lyrics and melody remain identical every time it repeats. It features the highest energy and thickest instrumentation.

• Bridge: A one-time departure. It introduces brand new chords and lyrics to break the repetition before the final chorus.

Strophic structure

• A - Melody is heard for the first time.

• A - Lyrics may change, but melody remains the same without any chord progressions or changes.

• A - Heard again for the last time.