Difference between revisions of "Riff" - New World Encyclopedia
From New World Encyclopedia
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| − | 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. | + | In music, a '''riff''' is an ostinato figure (a repeated chord progression, pattern, or melodic fragment), often played by instruments in the rhythmic section, such as the guitar or keyboard, 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. |
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| + | Riffs are often used, and re-used, to create full compositions. For example, The "Night Train" riff used in [[Duke Ellington]]'s number "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", had been recycled from [[Johnny Hodge]]'s earlier hit, "That's the Blues, Old Man". Another example is the riff from [[Charlie Parker]]'s [[bebop]] number "Now's the Time" which re-emerged four years later in the [[R&B]] dance hit, "The Hucklebuck". Also, [[Glenn Miller]]'s "In the Mood" had an earlier life as [[Wingy Manone]]'s "Tar Paper Stomp". It is even possible that these riffs, which are all twelve bar blues riffs, precede the song examples given. | ||
==Definition== | ==Definition== | ||
| − | Music professor, David Brackett defines them as "short melodic phrases," while Richard Middleton | + | Music professor, David Brackett defines them as "short melodic phrases,"<ref>Brackett, David."Interpreting Popular Music". University of California Press, Berkeley, California, 2000.</ref> while songwriter, Richard Middleton, defines them as "short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic figures repeated to form a structural framework."<ref>www.richardmiddleton.net</ref> Though Rikky Rooksby 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."<ref>Rooksby, Rikky."How to Write Songs on Guitar". Miller Freeman Books, Indianapolis, 2000.</ref> |
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==Terminology== | ==Terminology== | ||
| − | The term ''riff'' entered musical [[slang]] in the 1920s (Rooksby, ibid), and | + | The term ''riff'' entered musical [[slang]] in the 1920s (Rooksby, ibid), and was used primarily in discussion of forms of [[Rock and roll|rock music]] or [[jazz]]. "Most rock musicians use ''riff'' as a synonym, almost, for '[[musical idea]].'" (Middleton 1990, p.125). |
| − | Some sources explain ''riff'' as an | + | 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 ([http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=riff]) on a subject. Thus riffing on a melody or progression is related to how a [[comedian]] would riff on a subject by extending a singular thought, idea or inspiration into a ''bit'', or ''routine''. |
| − | == | + | ==Examples of popular riffs and great riff artists== |
| − | The popular website DigitalDreamDoor has compiled a list [http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_guitarriff.html] of what they | + | |
| + | The popular website DigitalDreamDoor has compiled a list [http://www.digitaldreamdoor.com/pages/best_guitarriff.html] of what they believe to be the "100 greatest guitar riffs". | ||
===Notation and sound examples=== | ===Notation and sound examples=== | ||
| − | *" | + | |
| + | *"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by [[Iron Butterfly]] | ||
[[Image:Iron_Butterfly_In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_Riff.PNG|550px|In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida riff]] | [[Image:Iron_Butterfly_In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_Riff.PNG|550px|In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida riff]] | ||
{{listen|filename=Iron_Butterfly_In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_Riff.ogg|title=In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida|description=Listen to the above.}} | {{listen|filename=Iron_Butterfly_In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida_Riff.ogg|title=In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida|description=Listen to the above.}} | ||
| − | *" | + | *"Iron Man" by [[Black Sabbath]] |
[[Image:Iron_Man_riff.PNG|550px|Iron Man riff]] | [[Image:Iron_Man_riff.PNG|550px|Iron Man riff]] | ||
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{{listen|filename=Iron_Man_riff.mp3|title=Iron Man|description=Listen to the above.}} | {{listen|filename=Iron_Man_riff.mp3|title=Iron Man|description=Listen to the above.}} | ||
| − | *Piano intro to " | + | *Piano intro to "Take Five" by [[Paul Desmond]] |
{{listen|filename=Dave_Brubeck_Quartet,_The-Time_Out-Take_Five-head.ogg|title=Take Five|description=Listen to a sample of "Take Five".}} | {{listen|filename=Dave_Brubeck_Quartet,_The-Time_Out-Take_Five-head.ogg|title=Take Five|description=Listen to a sample of "Take Five".}} | ||
| − | *" | + | *"Smoke on the Water" by [[Deep Purple]] |
[[Image:Smoke on the water.svg|600px]] | [[Image:Smoke on the water.svg|600px]] | ||
| − | *" | + | *"You Really Got Me" by [[The Kinks]] |
[[Image:The Kinks You Really Got Me riff.PNG|550px|You Really Got Me riff]] | [[Image:The Kinks You Really Got Me riff.PNG|550px|You Really Got Me riff]] | ||
| − | ==Musicians who are especially known for their riffs== | + | ===Musicians who are especially known for their use of riffs=== |
<!-- Note to editors: Please keep this section alphabetized by surname. :-) —> | <!-- Note to editors: Please keep this section alphabetized by surname. :-) —> | ||
| − | * | + | * Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple) |
* [[Chuck Berry]] | * [[Chuck Berry]] | ||
| − | * | + | * Eric Clapton |
| − | * | + | * Matthew Heafy (Trivium) |
* [[Jimi Hendrix]] | * [[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) |
| − | == | + | ==References== |
*{{cite book | *{{cite book | ||
| last = Horner | | last = Horner | ||
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==Similar notions (and synonyms)== | ==Similar notions (and synonyms)== | ||
| − | * | + | *Ostinato |
| − | * | + | *Vamp |
| − | * | + | *Lick |
| − | * | + | *Hook |
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
Revision as of 00:26, 7 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, such as the guitar or keyboard, 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.
Riffs are often used, and re-used, to create full compositions. For example, The "Night Train" riff used in Duke Ellington's number "Happy-Go-Lucky Local", had been recycled from Johnny Hodge's earlier hit, "That's the Blues, Old Man". Another example is the riff from Charlie Parker's bebop number "Now's the Time" which re-emerged four years later in the R&B dance hit, "The Hucklebuck". Also, Glenn Miller's "In the Mood" had an earlier life as Wingy Manone's "Tar Paper Stomp". It is even possible that these riffs, which are all twelve bar blues riffs, precede the song examples given.
Definition
Music professor, David Brackett defines them as "short melodic phrases,"[1] while songwriter, Richard Middleton, defines them as "short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic figures repeated to form a structural framework."[2] Though Rikky Rooksby 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."[3]
Terminology
The term riff entered musical slang in the 1920s (Rooksby, ibid), and was 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).
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 is related to how a comedian would riff on a subject by extending a singular thought, idea or inspiration into a bit, or routine.
Examples of popular riffs and great riff artists
The popular website DigitalDreamDoor has compiled a list [2] of what they believe to be the "100 greatest guitar riffs".
Notation and sound examples
- "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly
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- "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath
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| Problems listening to this file? See media help. | |||||
- Piano intro to "Take Five" by Paul Desmond
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| 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 use of riffs
- Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple)
- Chuck Berry
- Eric Clapton
- 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)
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
- 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
- Hook
