# What's a "riff"? (Need answer now. Also, a shark is biting off my leg. Whatever.) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [February 21, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492 "2012-02-21T02:48:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/1 "2012-02-21T02:48:22Z")
OK, just kidding about the shark. But my musically uneducated brother wants to know what a riff is. I want to explain it to him, but I can’t find the words nor examples that he’d get from modern styles. I guess I’d explain that it’s part of a band or artist that repeats a bar or 2 or 4 again and again for an indefinite amount of time while a soloist or small ensemble performs an improvisational act or performance. It might also be called vamping. I don’t think that my brother will really get that, though. What are some exmaples form a shared childhood of growing up in the late 60s and early 70s? Honestly, the only thing I can think of is _Money_ by Pink Floyd. The actual subject of conversation is _Sweet Melissa_ by the Allman Brothers. He doesn’t get the whole deal of Am9 Am Am9 D until the break. What words can I use? ---
**Author:** ![typoink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecb155/32.png) [@typoink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/typoink)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/2 "2012-02-21T03:20:53Z")
Point him to punk music, especially pop punk like Greenday. The repeated riffs are very easy to “see.” ---
**Author:** ![Jragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e19b73/32.png) [@Jragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jragon)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/3 "2012-02-21T03:25:11Z")
I don’t think “Riff” is necessarily a well defined term. It’s basically a small piece of music that’s repeated under (or between) a melody or chorus/refrain. Sure, there are other common elements such as it usually being lower pitched than the rest of the song, or it only really being used in Jazz/Rock, but I don’t think it’s a term that’s defined much beyond “I know it when I hear it.” Wikipedia directs musical riffs under Ostinato, so I guess that’s something, but not anything a music-illiterate person would get. Even then I’m not sure it’s always an Ostinato, I frequently hear people refer to “guitar riff” as a short, one-off piece of musical glue (not a solo, but maybe a quick fall or trill section that accompanies a solo or a rock finish). > [@typoink](#): > > Point him to punk music, especially pop punk like Greenday. > > The repeated riffs are very easy to “see.” I think the most obvious riff is by far the pounding DUH DAH DUUUH DAH DAH under Black Sabbath’s Ironman. ---
**Author:** ![wheresmymind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/91b2a8/32.png) [@wheresmymind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wheresmymind)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/4 "2012-02-21T05:23:32Z")
The first 15 seconds of Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones pretty much defines the word “riff.” Jumpin’ Jack Flash is a close second. Street Fighting Man, Start Me Up, I could go on. Also just about any ACDC song. ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 9:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/5 "2012-02-21T09:17:37Z")
I would say a riff is a distinctive motif that is memorable in its own right and that is readily identifiable with the song that it came from. So it has to be a bit more catchy that just some random bit of noodling or filler. In some cases, the riff is the basis of most of the song. Late 60’s?.. how about “Sunshine of your Love” by Cream? The verses in that song are just the riff, followed by the same riff a fourth higher. Or the opening bit of “Ziggy Stardust”. If someone mentions that song to me, that riff is what I first think of. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 12:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/6 "2012-02-21T12:01:49Z")
Since Keith Richards and Angus Young have already been mentioned as riff-masters, I’ll add Jimmy page. Whole Lotta Love, Black Dog, Good Times Bad Times, Communication Breakdown, The Ocean, I could go on and on. Page wrote some really memorable riffs. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 12:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/7 "2012-02-21T12:04:47Z")
These are all really good examples. _Money_ (Pink Floyd) is another. And _Layla_ is built on two of them. That’s probably the most relatable example. ---
**Author:** ![Doug\_K](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b5ac83/32.png) [@Doug\_K](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doug_K)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/8 "2012-02-21T12:44:56Z")
Don’t forget [Earache My Eye](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzGsZnzR9bo). ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 12:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/9 "2012-02-21T12:54:50Z")
I was going to say _Layla_ as a great example too. Also _Blister in the Sun_ is extremely distinctive. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/10 "2012-02-21T13:07:47Z")
- Dominant note pattern driving a song - Clearly defined, simple/memorable, repetitive - often circular, so the end puts you right back at the beginning (or sets up a return to the beginning) - Guitar based within context of rock - if another instrument is doing a riff, it is typically trying to mimic the sound/feel of a guitar’s rhythm role in rock - A music pattern that moves you - makes you bang your head or your backbone slide - the riff conveys a mood/feel in its simple repetitive nature ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/11 "2012-02-21T13:11:05Z")
Maybe an [example or two…](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNq94ZaZ0Yk) is better than an explanation? ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/12 "2012-02-21T13:26:22Z")
This old one is the first I thought of: [Stan Kenton - Intermission Riff.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KA5m7gzyc7M) ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/13 "2012-02-21T13:29:57Z")
By the way, specific to the OP, I don’t think of the ABB’s Melissa as a riff, per se. Too mellow. It feels like your brother may be overthinking this. Just put on Satisfaction or Day Tripper or Sunshine of Your Love and say “here ya go.” Rock riffs - they rock, dude. ---
**Author:** ![Laggard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9de053/32.png) [@Laggard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Laggard)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/14 "2012-02-21T13:46:58Z")
Smoke on the Water ---
**Author:** ![Zsofia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7bcc69/32.png) [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/15 "2012-02-21T14:46:53Z")
Yeah, just ask him “Hey, how does “Satisfaction” go?” and when he says “duh duh… duh na NAAA NA NA na” you say “That’s a riff.” ---
**Author:** ![mnemosyne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c4cdca/32.png) [@mnemosyne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mnemosyne)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/16 "2012-02-21T15:50:19Z")
Don’t know about a riff, but I can help with the [hook](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdz5kCaCRFM&ob=av2e)… ---
**Author:** ![Small\_Clanger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9fc348/32.png) [@Small\_Clanger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Small_Clanger)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/17 "2012-02-21T15:52:53Z")
[QUOTE=Crotalus] I could go on and on. Page wrote some really memorable riffs. [/QUOTE] You’re not wrong but I think you might have credit a couple in your list to John Paul Jones. ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/18 "2012-02-21T18:53:38Z")
My definition of a riff is if you can perform it on air guitar like [Beavis and Butt-head](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_o0rNJ-HFs) did. My favorite air-guitar rendition of a riff at the moment is in Kesha’s “[Party at a Rich Dude’s House](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4T63c_cnWU).” Listen closely starting at 1:02 of this video. ---
**Author:** ![tdn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@tdn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tdn)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/19 "2012-02-21T19:57:14Z")
> [@WordMan](#): > > By the way, specific to the OP, I don’t think of the ABB’s Melissa as a riff, per se. Too mellow. I was mistaken about the song, I was thinking about _In Memory of Elizabeth Reed_. I’m not sure if the opening chords really count as a riff. ---
**Author:** ![WordMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e8c25b/32.png) [@WordMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WordMan)\ **Post date:** [February 21, 2012, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-a-riff-need-answer-now-also-a-shark-is-biting-off-my-leg-whatever/613492/20 "2012-02-21T21:03:48Z")
> [@tdn](#): > > I was mistaken about the song, I was thinking about _In Memory of Elizabeth Reed_. I’m not sure if the opening chords really count as a riff. IMHO, no - a riff is a more…relentless…part of the song. It is the definer of the groove, the theme that is returned to throughout.