Riff

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," while songwriter, Richard Middleton, defines them as "short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic figures repeated to form a structural framework." 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."

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 examples

• "Iron Man" by Black Sabbath

Iron Man riff

• "You Really Got Me" by The Kinks

You Really Got Me riff

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)

References

ISBN 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

External links

• Digitaldreamdoor's 100 Greatest Rock Guitar Riffs Retrieved September 8, 2007.
• Jazz Guitar Riffs Retrieved September 8, 2007.

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