Musical Riff

What is Riff?

Riff is a slang widely used in the guitar world to describe a short part performed on that instrument. For example, the introduction of the song Sweet Child O ‘Mine from Guns N’ Roses is a riff. Usually, the riff is a part repeated more than once in the song. Anything can be a riff, even a certain rhythmic take on a chord. Riff is a very generic term.

Go to: Module 4

Back to: Module 3

Back to: Music Terms