32 Bar Song Form
The 32 bar form is an AABA form that defined the 1930’s and 40’s of American popular music and can be found in songs such as “Yesterday” and “the Flintstones”
Overview
The 32-bar song form is a classic songwriting structure that was the foundation of decades of songwriting in America. While most commonly found in pop and jazz standards of the 1920-1950s the some form still shows up from time to time.
Due to its AABA song form, it’s a fantastic way to organize lyrics around a central idea, using the bridge (B section) to set up the final resolution in the A Section.
What’s old is new again! Please enjoy this handout and find some examples of this song form below.
