riff
Repeated guitar motif
A riff is a short, repeated musical phrase, especially in rock, jazz, or blues—the memorable instrumental hook that anchors a song: That guitar riff is iconic.
Extended from music, to riff is to improvise or elaborate freely on a theme: She riffed on the idea for ten minutes.
The word suggests creative spontaneity built on a foundation.
Recurring thematic element
- hookCurved catching device
- phraseWords forming partial meaning
- melodyPleasing sequence of notes
- ostinatoRepeating musical figure
bassline · theme · repetition · sequence · loop · groove · pattern · lick
Performance by one
- fretboardStringed instrument's neck face
- lickPass tongue over
- shreddingCutting into thin pieces
- amplifierSignal-strengthening electronic device
distortion · pentatonic · bend · hammer-on · pull-off · slide · vibrato · whammy
Arising without external cause
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- extemporizeSpeak without preparation
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- unrehearsedNot practiced beforehand
unscripted · impromptu · jam · creativity · variation · embellishment · interpretation · invention
Fast, complex jazz style
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- scatImprovised vocal jazz
- modalPertaining to form
standards · ballad · combo · quintet · saxophone · improvisation · call-and-response · vamp
Rapid rotation around axis
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- takeCapture or filmed segment
- interpretationAssigned meaning
- parodySatirical imitation
homage · tribute · remix · mashup · adaptation · elaboration · embellishment · improvisation
motif
Recurring thematic element
ostinato · bassline · theme · repetition · sequence · loop · groove · pattern · lick · figure
solo
Performance by one
amplifier · distortion · pentatonic · bend · hammer-on · pull-off · slide · vibrato · whammy · sustain
spontaneous
Arising without external cause
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- extemporizeSpeak without preparation
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
unrehearsed · unscripted · impromptu · jam · creativity · variation · embellishment · interpretation · invention · off-the-cuff
bebop
Fast, complex jazz style
- swingSuspended recreational seat
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- scatImprovised vocal jazz
modal · standards · ballad · combo · quintet · saxophone · improvisation · call-and-response · vamp · head
spin
Rapid rotation around axis
- twistRotating motion or surprise
- takeCapture or filmed segment
- interpretationAssigned meaning
parody · homage · tribute · remix · mashup · adaptation · elaboration · embellishment · improvisation · callback
- bass lineswalking bass, funk bass, slap bass, jazz bass, synth bass
- musicmusic, song, songs, singing, singer
- rock musicrock band, electric guitar, guitar solo, power chords, power chord
- singingsoprano, lead vocals, vocalist, alto, backing vocals
- songwritinglyrics, verse, verse-chorus, refrain, song structure
- improvisingad-lib, ad-libbing, jamming, jam session, freestyle
Reading rules literally
literal translation · carbon copy · word-for-word · cover version · tribute
- guitar riffsBrief melodic passages
- bass riffRepeated low-pitched musical phrase
- metal riffsHeavy guitar phrases
- heavy riffsLoud, distorted guitar phrases
- Riff RaffDisreputable or undesirable people