Difference between revisions of "Riff" - New World Encyclopedia
Cheryl Lau (talk | contribs) |
|||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{claimed}} | {{claimed}} | ||
| − | In music, a '''riff''' is an | + | In music, a '''riff''' is an ostinato figure (a repeated chord progression, pattern, or melodic fragment), often played by instruments in the rhythmic section, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a composition. A riff can be as simple as a single, exciting note or a more complex arrangement, as long as it is catchy and hooks the listener's attention within the context of the song without destracting him or her from the collective piece. |
| − | David Brackett | + | ==Definition== |
| + | |||
| + | Music professor, David Brackett defines them as "short melodic phrases," while Richard Middleton (1999) defines them as, "short [[rhythm|rhythmic]], melodic, or [[harmonic]] figures repeated to form a [[musical form|structural]] framework." Though Rikky Rooksby (2002, p.6-7) admits that there is no "water-tight" definition, he gives a "working description" for riffs in rock: "A riff is a short, repeated, memorable musical phrase, often pitched low on the guitar, which focuses much of the energy and excitement of a rock song." | ||
Riffs are often used (and re-used) to create full compositions. The "[[Night Train (song)|Night Train]]<nowiki></nowiki>" riff was first used in [[Duke Ellington]]'s "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", which Ellington had recycled from [[Johnny Hodges]] earlier "That's the Blues, Old Man". The riff from [[Charlie Parker]]'s [[bebop]] number "Now's the Time" (1945) re-emerged four years later as the [[R&B]] dance hit, "[[The Hucklebuck]]". The verse of "The Hucklebuck", which was another riff, was "borrowed" from the Artie Matthews composition, "[[Weary Blues]]". Glenn Miller's "[[In the Mood]]" had an earlier life as [[Wingy Manone]]'s "Tar Paper Stomp". (All these songs use [[twelve bar blues]] riffs. It is probable that these riffs precede the examples given.) | Riffs are often used (and re-used) to create full compositions. The "[[Night Train (song)|Night Train]]<nowiki></nowiki>" riff was first used in [[Duke Ellington]]'s "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", which Ellington had recycled from [[Johnny Hodges]] earlier "That's the Blues, Old Man". The riff from [[Charlie Parker]]'s [[bebop]] number "Now's the Time" (1945) re-emerged four years later as the [[R&B]] dance hit, "[[The Hucklebuck]]". The verse of "The Hucklebuck", which was another riff, was "borrowed" from the Artie Matthews composition, "[[Weary Blues]]". Glenn Miller's "[[In the Mood]]" had an earlier life as [[Wingy Manone]]'s "Tar Paper Stomp". (All these songs use [[twelve bar blues]] riffs. It is probable that these riffs precede the examples given.) | ||
Revision as of 23:56, 6 September 2007
In music, a riff is an ostinato figure (a repeated chord progression, pattern, or melodic fragment), often played by instruments in the rhythmic section, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a composition. A riff can be as simple as a single, exciting note or a more complex arrangement, as long as it is catchy and hooks the listener's attention within the context of the song without destracting him or her from the collective piece.
Definition
Music professor, David Brackett defines them as "short melodic phrases," while Richard Middleton (1999) defines them as, "short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic figures repeated to form a structural framework." Though Rikky Rooksby (2002, p.6-7) admits that there is no "water-tight" definition, he gives a "working description" for riffs in rock: "A riff is a short, repeated, memorable musical phrase, often pitched low on the guitar, which focuses much of the energy and excitement of a rock song."
Riffs are often used (and re-used) to create full compositions. The "Night Train" riff was first used in Duke Ellington's "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", which Ellington had recycled from Johnny Hodges earlier "That's the Blues, Old Man". The riff from Charlie Parker's bebop number "Now's the Time" (1945) re-emerged four years later as the R&B dance hit, "The Hucklebuck". The verse of "The Hucklebuck", which was another riff, was "borrowed" from the Artie Matthews composition, "Weary Blues". Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" had an earlier life as Wingy Manone's "Tar Paper Stomp". (All these songs use twelve bar blues riffs. It is probable that these riffs precede the examples given.)
Terminology
The term riff entered musical slang in the 1920s (Rooksby, ibid), and is used primarily in discussion of forms of rock music or jazz. "Most rock musicians use riff as a synonym, almost, for 'musical idea.'" (Middleton 1990, p.125). Tony Iommi is a pioneer of "Riffage". Charlie Parker's "Thriving on a Riff", like many bebop originals, was based on the chord progression of George Gershwin's "I've Got Rhythm".
Some sources explain riff as an abbreviation for "rhythmic figure", however, the musical use of the term derives from its use in comedy where a riffing consists of short clever remarks ([1]) on a subject. Thus riffing on a melody or progression as one would riff on a subject by extending a singular thought, idea or inspiration into a bit, or routine.
Pieces and songs that depend on riffs for their effect
The popular website DigitalDreamDoor has compiled a list [2] of what they say are the "100 greatest guitar riffs".
Notation and sound examples
- "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly
 |
|
||||
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |||||
- "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath
|
|
||||
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |||||
- Piano intro to "Take Five" by Paul Desmond
|
|
||||
| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |||||
- "Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple
- "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks
Musicians who are especially known for their riffs
- Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
- Chuck Berry
- Eric Clapton (Cream)
- Matthew Heafy (Trivium)
- Jimi Hendrix
- Kirk Hammett (Metallica)
- Josh Homme (Queens of the Stone Age)
- Tony Iommi (Black Sabbath)
- Idina Menzel
- Jimmy Page (Led Zeppelin)
- Keith Richards (Rolling Stones)
- Eddie Van Halen (Van Halen)
- Angus Young (AC/DC)
- Jack White (The White Stripes)
Source
- Horner, Bruce and Swiss, Thomas (1999). Form and Music: Key Terms in Popular Music and Culture. Malden, Massachusetts: Blackwell. ISBN 0-631-21263-9.
- Middleton, Richard (1990/2002). Studying Popular Music. Philadelphia: Open University Press. ISBN 0-335-15275-9.
- Rooksby, Rikky (2002). Riffs: How to create and play great guitar riffs. San Francisco: Backbeat Books. ISBN 0-87930-710-2.
Similar notions (and synonyms)
- Ostinato
- Vamp
- Lick (music)
- Hook (music)
