19.2 · Song Form

Three classic maps

Most songs are built on one of three maps: verse–chorus, AABA, or the 12-bar blues. Each demo below plays a whole form in miniature, one bar per chip.

The three maps

Follow the chips as each form plays.

VCVCBC

Pop's default since the sixties. Story, payoff, story, payoff, detour, payoff.

AABA

The 32-bar standard: the tune twice, a contrasting middle (the original 'bridge'), the tune once more. Over the Rainbow, most of the Great American Songbook, plenty of Beatles.

IIIIIVIVIIVIVIV

The twelve bars seen from above: here the form is the progression.

Game · Name the map

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One of the three maps, played in miniature. Which did you hear?

Listen first. Then answer.

Quiz

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In AABA form, the B section is…

Score 100% on every quiz and game to complete this lesson. A perfect run sticks: a later miss never undoes it.Write a loop →