Style Upgrade Lesson: Exploring Yebber's Licks and Riffs

So, this lesson is one of our style upgrade lessons. We have these lessons to explore vocabulary from other artists and integrate it into our own artistry.

Purpose of the Lesson

The reason why we do this is not to copy, but to gain an awareness of what is possible.

Today's Artist: Yebber

The artist we're focusing on in today's lesson is Yebber. I do love Yebber, and Alicia, I believe, loves Yebber as well. She is a great exemplar for us because we are studying lip licks and riffs, and she has plenty of great ideas. Learning how she executes her licks is really innovative because she approaches things differently than a lot of other artists.

Lesson Overview

We have two licks to learn in this lesson.

Lick 1: "Into the Sky"

• Key: D minor
• Source: The song "October Sky"

This is a beautiful line from that song. So, this is how the lick goes:
Into the sky.

It's quick, with a lot of notes, and she cascades down, saying:
Into the sky.

This is our telltale pentatonic scale, and we start on the note E. We are in D minor but starting on the second scale degree, which is E.

Practice Together

Try this part with me:
Into the sky, Alicia. Into the sky. Good.

Now we're going to add a little more to that:
Into the sky. Into the sky.
And again,
Into the sky.

Remember, when you're doing these licks, don't let that mouth close.
Say: Sky.
That's how you're going to avoid inaccuracies. You want:
Sky. Nice open mouth.

If you struggle with that, pop a finger between your teeth. Try it again:
And into the sky. Good.

Continuing the Lick

Then we keep going down the pentatonic scale from there. So I'll show you:
Into the sky.

Try it with me:
And into the sky.
That's it! Your brain's probably logically moving through each of those notes because we're quite programmed with the pentatonic scale.

Let's try that one again together:
And into the sky. Great.

We have just a few more notes to go:
Into the sky, right down to that low F there.

Counting Notes

One thing I like to do with a fast run of notes is to count them so I know how many I need to get through. You can literally use your fingers.

Into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
We have nine notes to get through, so at least we know what we're dealing with.

Group Practice

So just try it together:
And into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Leisha, let's try it together using the numbers this time. Sing the numbers with me:
And into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Good!

Two more times with numbers with me:
Here we go. And into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.
The F is low, isn't it? Try it one more time:
And into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

Finishing Touches

We have one little bit to finish this off, and it's got that telltale double scoop.

So we have:
Scoop, scoop, down.

Count it:
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Up, scoop, scoop, down.
Try it:
I up, scoop, scoop, down.

Full Lick Practice

Now, let's try the whole thing with the up, scoop, scoop, down at the end:
Into the sky and into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Up, scoop, scoop, down.

I know it feels a bit awkward adding all those words, but the brain tends to absorb it a little easier than just a flurry of notes.

Final Challenge

So let's challenge ourselves and take away the words, starting on E:
Into the sky.

I'll start off for this one:
And into the sky.
Do you hear that scoop? Hear that scoop, scoop, down at the end?

Try it again. Have a listen to me:
Into the sky.
Quite low for me, but that's all right. We can always transpose if we need to.

Shall we try it together? Fingers crossed, everyone! Here we go:
And into the sky. Good, let's try a little faster. And into the sky.

Key Takeaways

This is the moment to check your mouth, ensuring you're not letting it close. I like to do this in the mirror because sometimes it's hard to notice.

Remember:

• Keep your mouth nice and open.
• A lot of movement needs to happen.

Into the sky. Try it with me.
And into the sky.
That's it! It's a tough one.

Again, make sure you're doing it at a tempo that is manageable for you. Don't stray from the numbers and the words until you're ready.

We had:
Into the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Up, scoop, scoop, down.

Conclusion

So there's your first project, a little phrase from "October Sky," verse 2. See if you can give it a go!