The Lick is a well-known and frequently used jazz musical phrase that has become a symbolic motif in jazz culture. As music educators, it’s essential to teach students about this musical nugget and its significance in the realm of jazz. This article will provide an overview of The Lick, discuss its history and prevalence, and offer tips on how to incorporate it into your lessons to engage students.
What is The Lick?
The Lick is a short musical phrase consisting of eight notes. It can be played in various keys but maintains the same rhythmic pattern and intervals. Though predominantly associated with jazz, The Lick can be found in many other genres of music, including rock, pop, and classical. Due to its simplicity, familiarity, and adaptability, this iconic phrase has become staple in many musicians’ repertoire.
History of The Lick
Though it’s unclear who first created The Lick or when it originated, it has become popularized through the recordings of iconic jazz musicians such as John Coltrane, Miles Davis, and Charlie Parker. In recent times, its ubiquity has transformed into a playful phenomenon in the jazz community, with many musicians and fans actively seeking out instances of The Lick in various compositions or performances.
Incorporating The Lick Into Lessons
Introducing The Lick to your students can serve as an engaging gateway into broader musical concepts such as improvisation, harmony, and rhythm. Here are some tips on how you can incorporate this famous musical motif into your lessons:
1. Introduce the concept: Begin by playing examples of The Lick from various recordings or genres. Encourage discussions around what students notice regarding the shared characteristics across these samples.
2. Teach the structure: Break down The Lick’s rhythmic pattern and intervals step-by-step for your students. You can use notation or aural demonstrations to help them visualize or internalize its structure.
3. Encourage exploration: Once your students have grasped The Lick, invite them to experiment by playing it on their instruments in different keys and adapting it to various styles.
4. Apply The Lick to improvisation: As students become more comfortable with The Lick, encourage them to incorporate it into their improvisations as a building block for creating interesting solos.
5. Make it a challenge: Create fun exercises that require students to identify or play The Lick in different contexts, such as finding examples within recorded music, incorporating it into sight-reading exercises, or recognizing it in compositions.
6. Discuss its cultural significance: Engage students in conversations about The Lick’s role in shaping jazz culture and foster critical thinking on why this particular phrase became so popular.
Conclusion
Teaching students about The Lick is an excellent opportunity to explore various musical concepts while introducing them to the rich history and culture of jazz. By incorporating The Lick into your lessons, you’ll create engaging learning experiences that will inspire your students and help them better understand and appreciate the fascinating world of music.
