# riff is to guitar as \_\_\_\_ is to drum **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 19, 2004, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786 "2004-04-19T06:18:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Futile\_Gesture](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f05b48/32.png) [@Futile\_Gesture](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Futile_Gesture)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 6:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/21 "2004-04-19T18:18:49Z")
Paradiddle? ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 6:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/22 "2004-04-19T18:33:15Z")
> [@Futile Gesture](#): > > Paradiddle? No, because a paradiddle is a specific sticking pattern: RLRR LRLL with possible different variations. ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/23 "2004-04-19T18:35:02Z")
> [@Phase42](#): > > Re: “Chart” > > I’ve been a musician since I was just a wee lad, playing in all manner of different combos, playing different styles on different instruments. I have never heard the word “chart” used to describe anything other than the physical piece of paper upon which the music is printed. It’s been just in the past few years that I have been seeing “horn charts” in music reviews as a term analogous to “lick” or “riff.” I hope it catches on; I kind of like the word picture that it paints of a horn player consulting the written sheet music as he plays. ---
**Author:** ![Jpeg\_Jones](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/4bbf92/32.png) [@Jpeg\_Jones](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jpeg_Jones)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/24 "2004-04-19T19:25:36Z")
A brief defense, if I may: > [@Snooooopy](#): > > If someone wants to cop an attitude with me BUT PROVIDE GOOD INFORMATION, that’s something I can live with; Please re-read the following “GOOD INFORMATION”: _Riffs and licks are independent of any instrument. To “vamp” is to repeat something as necessary. A “chart” is the sheet music the player reads off of and is not analogous to a riff or lick. (I still stand by this, see Phase42’s comment. It can also mean, generally, a piece of music “hey, nice chart, man.”)_ > [@](#): > > But you’ve managed to be cop an attitude with me while providing information consisting mainly of WAGs and stuff that’s just wrong True, I copped an attitude. It’s a character flaw I have when it comes to technical questions about music. My info above are not WAGs, and I don’t believe I’m wrong about “chart”. Furthermore, I also admit that I didn’t really answer your question, but I did set you straight on your premise and your definitions. > [@](#): > > YANAD I have already admitted this. I am, however, a very experienced musician. > [@](#): > > and YANAH (You are not a help). :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Snooooopy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee7513/32.png) [@Snooooopy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snooooopy)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 10:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/25 "2004-04-19T22:13:49Z")
> [@Jpeg Jones](#): > > I don’t believe I’m wrong about “chart”. I’m sorry I overreacted. I admit that. But you are wrong about chart. I’ve read too many music reviews that make use of the phrase in the manner I have described to be swayed by your statement. ---
**Author:** ![dnooman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/839c29/32.png) [@dnooman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dnooman)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2004, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786/26 "2004-04-19T23:24:30Z")
> [@Saranga](#): > > Drummer here: The answer is “beat”. > > I’ve also heard older drummers (as well as other musicians) use “lick” quite often, as well as “groove”. “Pattern” works too but is more formal. I’m a drummer too, and the above answer is the best so far. A “beat” is analogous to a riff, if the riff is being repeated as well. A “lick” or “fill” is more of an accent to a particular part in the tune. “Pattern” is a bit formal for most occasions, and one would only use “chart” if one were sightreading (usually used with jazz tunes). “Groove” is used when a “beat” has a distinctive feel to it, otherwise known as being “in the pocket”. Those are my favorite.🙂 I think I broke my " key. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/riff-is-to-guitar-as-____-is-to-drum/240786.md?page=1)