What is a riff?

• A. A long, improvised solo.
• B. A short, repeated musical figure used as a building block in many styles.
• C. A melodic ornament added to a phrase.
• D. A variation of a theme.

Answer: (B)

A riff is a short, memorable musical figure that is repeated throughout a song to create the groove and character. It acts as a building block or hook that listeners latch onto, often played by guitar or bass and driving the rhythm section. This repeated figure gives the piece its recognizable backbone and energy. It’s not a long, improvised solo, which unfolds over many bars; it’s not merely a melodic ornament that sits on a single phrase; and it’s not simply a variation of a theme, which would alter the main idea rather than provide a recurring, anchor motif.