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How to Write a Break Up R&B Song

Rhythm and Blues (R&B) got its start in the southern rural areas, and in it you can find a mixture of ragtime, church music, blues, and even some folk music. If you are going to write a song about a break up, Rhythm and Blues is definitely the style to use. Rhythm and Blues is a combination of jazz and the blues. In 1949 the term "race music" was replaced with the socially more acceptable term "Rhythm and Blues."

Instructions

    • 1

      Breeze through the lyrics. Writing a break up rhythm and blues song should be a cinch. As long as the emotion comes from deep within and contains all the pain of your soul, it should be fine. The blues part of the R&B name comes from the lyrics.

    • 2

      Use 4 beat bars. One of the backbones of R&B music is the 4 beat measures. Usually the last 2 beats are eighth notes.

    • 3

      Develop a backbeat. In order to get the typical rhythm and blues song you need to have a backbeat. Simply speaking, it is just accenting the second beat and fourth beat in the measure.

    • 4

      Throw in some syncopation. Accent weaker notes and vary the points of stress. Use some of the techniques made popular in jazz.

    • 5

      Listen to gospel songs for ideas. Many R&B songs have used gospel and substituted the name of the lover instead of Jesus or God.

    • 6

      Be aware that today much of the music that is Urban African-American music is referred to as R&B. Most genres, like soul, may have their own classification but they still will be loosely placed in the R&B genre.

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