TRANSCRIPT:
I’m Mark Rapp, and this is Rapp On Jazz.
There are several common song forms in jazz — the structures that shape the music we love.
One of the most well-known forms is the 12-bar blues. You’ll hear it from early New Orleans jazz to modern improvisation. Another favorite is the 32-bar AABA form, famously used in standards like “I Got Rhythm” and “All the Things You Are.” In this form, the “A” sections repeat, with a contrasting “B” or “bridge” in the middle.
These structures provide a familiar framework, giving jazz musicians the freedom to improvise while staying grounded in a common language. So next time you listen, see if you can spot the form — it might deepen your appreciation for the tune!
This has been Rapp on Jazz, a co-production of ColaJazz and SC Public Radio, made possible by The ETV Endowment of South Carolina.