A riff is a repeated chord progression, melody, or refrain in music that forms the basis or accompaniment of a musical composition. It is a short, repeated, memorable musical phrase that can be played by the rhythm section instruments or solo instrument. Riffs can be found in various styles of music such as rock, heavy metal, Latin, funk, and jazz. Classical music can also be based on a riff, such as Ravels Boléro. Riffs can be as simple as a catchy rhythmic figure played by a tenor saxophone or as complex as the riff-based variations in the head arrangements played by the Count Basie Orchestra.
According to David Brackett, riffs are "short melodic phrases," while Richard Middleton defines them as "short rhythmic, melodic, or harmonic figures repeated to form a structural framework". Rikky Rooksby states that 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 song".
In summary, a riff is a short, repeated musical phrase that forms the basis or accompaniment of a musical composition. It can be found in various styles of music and can be simple or complex.
