While it is not easy to teach writing blues type poetry, it is possible. the first thing I would teach them is the vernacular in which the blues is written. Showing my students examples of how impoverished black men in the 1920's spoke and wrote would be my step. It would be invaluable for them to actually hear examples of classic blues songwriters of the early 20th century. John Lee Hooker, Muddy Waters, and W.C. Handy would all make fine examples of such. It would also be important for them to think of an experience that is sad and even painful in order to recreate and/or immitate the authentic blues lyrics. The standard blues stanzas are a line of 6 syllables and the a line of 7 syllables. for example
"I woke up dis mornin
and my baby did me wrong"...
It is crucial for each student to really listen and study to classic blues and to try to replicate as well as he or she can. Other than that, it is up to the student to try to capture the feeling of the style and to choose a moving experience to write about.
Leave a comment