Post 82: JUST A LITTLE HELP WITH MIDDLE EIGHTS

Hundreds of the songs (not counting the 12-bar blues) played by traditional jazz bands are structured in 32 bars. Sometimes there is a pattern of two sets of sixteen bars – each of the sixteen starting with similar notes.

But many tunes have a ‘middle eight’ – so-called but not really middle because they are actually the third of four sets set of eight bars. The tunes often have an A – A – B – A structure, in which the three A sections (each of eight bars) are very similar in melody and harmonic progression, while the B section (sometimes called the ‘release’ or ‘bridge’) has a contrasting melody and harmonic structure.

For the musicians, it is a tough job learning all these chord progressions and the middle eights can be particularly tricky and easily forgotten.

Fortunately there are some recurring patterns and it helps a little to familiarise yourself with these. Here are three of them. Please note: most tunes listed below have their own slight variations within these structures.

Suzie Middle Eight Pattern

Based on these chords of the Home Key:

 I   |   I^7th  |  IV   |   IV   |   II^7th   |    II^7th  |   V^7th |    V^7th 

Examples:

All Alone by the Telephone

Are You Lonesome Tonight?

Big Butter and Egg Man

Coquette

Darkness on the Delta

Honeysuckle Rose

I Had Someone Else Before I Had You

I’m Alone Because I Love You

I’m Confessin’ That I Love You

If You Knew Suzie

Just Squeeze Me

Move the Body Over

Some Day Sweetheart

That Certain Party

The Best Things in Life and Free

We’ll Meet Again

When I Leave the World Behind

You Always Hurt the One You Love

You’re the Cream in My Coffee

Girl of My Dreams Middle Eight Pattern

Based on these chords of the Home Key:

 III^7th  |  III^7th  | VI^7th |  VI^7th  |  II^7th  | II^7th  | V^7th |  V^7th 

Examples:

Do  Your Duty
Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue

Girl of My Dreams

Give it Up

Hometown

I Can’t Believe That You’re in Love with Me

Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall

Kansas City Kitty
Love Letters in the Sand
Please Don’t Talk About Me

Side By Side

Stevedore Stomp

Ice Cream Middle Eight Pattern

Based on these chords of the Home Key:

 IV  |   IV  |   I   |    I  |    II^7th   |   II^7th   |   V^7th   |   V^7th 

Examples:

Blue Turning Grey

Don’t Sweetheart Me

Exactly Like You

I Like Bananas Because They Have No Bones

Ice Cream

Monday Date

Painting the Clouds with Sunshine

San Jacinto Stomp
Sentimental Journey

There’s an Old Mill By the Stream

When the Moon Comes over the Mountain