Riff

From Free net encyclopedia

Riff is also an alternate spelling of Rif, a region of Morocco.

In music, a riff is an ostinato figure: a repeated chord progression, pattern or melodic figure, often played by the rhythm section instruments, that forms the basis or accompaniment of a rock music or jazz composition.

David Brackett (1999) 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."

1 Terminology
2 Pieces and songs that depend on riffs for their effect
- 2.1 Notation and sound examples
3 Musicians who are especially known for their riffs
4 Source
5 External links

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Terminology

The term "riff" is sometimes regarded as slang, 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).

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 riff is a short clever remark ([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".

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Pieces and songs that depend on riffs for their effect

The popular website DigitalDreamDoor has compiled a list of what they say are the "100 greatest riffs" here

"(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction" by The Rolling Stones
"Draw the Line" by Aerosmith
"Ain't Talkin' About Love" by Van Halen
"Back In Black" by AC/DC
"Black Dog" by Led Zeppelin
"Boogie Chillun'" by John Lee Hooker
"Dust My Broom" by Elmore James, Robert Johnson
"Get Up (I Feel Like Being) A Sex Machine" by James Brown
"Intermission Riff" by Stan Kenton
"You Really Got Me" by The Kinks (see below)
"Money" by Pink Floyd
"Walk This Way" by Aerosmith
"Kiss Him Goodbye" by Steam
"Sing, Sing, Sing" by Louis Prima [2]
"We Did It Again" by The Soft Machine
"Funk #49" by The James Gang
"Hallowed be thy Name" by Iron Maiden
"Run Like Hell" by Pink Floyd
"Iron Man" by Black Sabbath (see below)
"Purple Haze" by the Jimi Hendrix Experience
"Day Tripper" by The Beatles
"Smoke on the Water" by Deep Purple
"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly (see below)
"Layla" by Derek and the Dominos
"Sunshine of Your Love" by Cream
"Rock you like a Hurricane" by The Scorpions
"Enter Sandman" by Metallica
"Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes
"Wild Thing" The Troggs
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
"Clocks" and "Talk" by Coldplay
"Pigs (Three Different Ones)" by Pink Floyd
"Larger Than Life" by The Feelers
"Bittersweet Symphony" by The Verve

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Notation and sound examples

"In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida" by Iron Butterfly

Image:Iron Butterfly In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida Riff.PNG

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"Iron Man" by Black Sabbath

Image:Iron Man riff.PNG

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Piano intro to "Take Five" by Paul Desmond

Image:Take Five-piano intro.png

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"You Really Got Me" by The Kinks

Image:The Kinks You Really Got Me riff.PNG

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Musicians who are especially known for their riffs

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Source

Middleton, Richard (1999). Form and Music. Key Terms in Popular Music and Culture. Malden, Massachusetts. ISBN 0631212639.
Middleton, Richard (1990/2002). Studying Popular Music. Philadelphia: Open University Press. ISBN 0335152759.

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