What is a Riff?

A riff is a short, repeated musical phrase or pattern that forms a recognizable part of a song. It is usually played on instruments such as guitar, bass, or keyboard and often serves as a central hook that gives the music its identity. Riffs typically consist of a small group of notes arranged in a rhythmic pattern that repeats throughout a section of a piece.

Riffs are especially common in genres like rock, blues, funk, and metal, where they often provide the main driving force of the song. A guitar riff, for example, may repeat underneath the vocals or instrumental sections, creating a strong groove and a memorable musical motif. Many famous songs are built around a single powerful riff that listeners can easily recognize.

While riffs are similar to ostinatos because they repeat, they are usually more closely associated with popular music and are often more rhythmically distinctive or stylistically defining. A strong riff can shape the entire character of a track and is often one of the most memorable elements of a song.