You may have previously heard the AABA (verse, verse, chorus, verse) lyric format referred to as any of the following:

-American popular song form
-thirty-two bar form
-Show tune
-Jazz standard
-ballad form

The key to writing the AABA lyric format is to remember that these lyrics contain four sections. They are:

-an eight-bar A section
-a second eight-bar A section that may vary slightly from the first eight-bar A section
-an eight-bar B section that usually contrasts the harmony of the A sections
-a final eight-bar A section

Another important point to recall about the AABA lyric format is that the core melody line is retained in each A section. Variations of the line may be added, especially in the final A section.

All A sections in this lyric share the same melody, and the title line falls on either the first or last line of each A section.

In an AABA lyric, the B section may or may not present the title line. The B section also serves as the bridge.

To double the 32-bars of the lyric to 64-bars add:

-a coda
-an instrumental section
-a break
-a reprise of the introduction and
-a second bridge

then return to the main theme of the lyric.

You will find that 64 bars only marginally affect the overall scheme of the lyric.

Interested? Want to learn much more? Come join us in the Lyrics Make The Song club.

Author Notes

G is for GUITARS, by Schatzling, selected to complement my article. So, thanks SCHATZLING, for the use of your picture. It goes so nicely with my article.