Lesson Plan: What is a Line Cliche in Music?
What is a “cliché”?
The Oxford Dictionary says: a “cliché” is a phrase or opinion that is overused and betrays a lack of original thought.
Common clichés in the English language are: Think outside the box. Grab the bull by the horns. It goes without saying. At the end of the day….
These phrases are common and definitely ones we have heard before. They add drama to our speech, while at the same time being so familiar that we are comfortable with the statement.
In music, we can use clichés to bring a sense of knowing in the listener. By using “overused” ideas, the listener gets the sense that they already know the song or that they can predict what is coming. Listeners LOVE the feeling like they have heard something before, so a musical cliché is a great way to pull them in!
Some examples of musical cliches are: A rap feature in the middle of a song, a key change, using word clichés in the lyrics of the song, or a glissando.
In my humble opinion, the most beautiful and effective musical cliché is known as a line cliché.
A line cliché is created by a movement of a musical line within a chord progression. It’s typical movement is in half steps (chromatic) and it’s most typical motion is downward in pitch.
It’s notated in chord charts with a “slash”, which shows the chord on the left, and the moving bass note on the right:
Am Am / G Am / F# Am / F
*** Tip: When I see a slash like this in music, I say the word “over” in my mind so that I remember to place the correct note in the bass. For example when I read Am / G I think “A minor over G”.
Let’s listen to some popular songs that use line cliché:
In a Sentimental Mood - Ella Fitzgerald - (Jazz)
For No One - The Beatles - (Pop)
One Too Many Mornings - Bob Dylan - (Folk)
What songs do you know that use a line cliché?
Post in the comments below!
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