Music Term
What is a riff?
Definition
A riff is a short, repeated melodic or rhythmic phrase -- typically 1-4 bars -- that forms the identifiable core of a song or section, most commonly associated with guitar in rock music.
Riff in music -- explained
The term comes from jazz improvisation vocabulary, where it described a short repeated phrase. In rock music, the guitar riff became the fundamental compositional unit: heavy, memorable, rhythmically potent. The riff is usually played by the lead or rhythm guitar, but can appear on bass, keyboard, or horn. The distinction between a riff and an ostinato is primarily cultural: riff is rock/pop/jazz vocabulary; ostinato is classical/academic vocabulary for essentially the same phenomenon. Great riffs have melodic memorability (you can sing them without the instrument) and rhythmic punch (they feel good to play air guitar to). Riffs are often built on pentatonic scale patterns, power chords, or blues-derived note choices. The guitar riff as songwriting unit was developed by Chuck Berry in the 1950s, codified by the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin in the 1960s-70s, and remains the dominant idiom in rock and metal.
Notable examples of a riff
Smoke on the Water -- Deep Purple
Possibly the most-learned guitar riff in existence -- four notes in parallel fourths that every beginner plays within their first month.
Back in Black -- AC/DC
The opening riff's swagger defines the song before a single lyric is delivered.
Seven Nation Army -- The White Stripes
A bass-register guitar riff so simple and indelible it became a stadium chant worldwide.
Related music terms
Frequently asked questions
- What is a riff in music?
- A riff is a short, repeated melodic or rhythmic phrase -- typically 1-4 bars -- that forms the identifiable core of a song or section, most commonly associated with guitar in rock music.
- What is an example of a riff?
- A well-known example is Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple: Possibly the most-learned guitar riff in existence -- four notes in parallel fourths that every beginner plays within their first month.
- How is a riff used in music?
- The term comes from jazz improvisation vocabulary, where it described a short repeated phrase. In rock music, the guitar riff became the fundamental compositional unit: heavy, memorable, rhythmically potent.
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