When is a riff not a riff?

Subject: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 11:28 AM

Just reflecting on one of my favourite songs (my phone's default ringtone) - Parisienne Walkways by Gary Moore. I always described the opening as a riff because it is repeated 2 or 3 times during the song but I am not so sure now. Maybe too long for a riff. Maybe it's a lick. I am no real musician so can someone tell me how to spot the difference?

And, yes, I know Google will but I like real people more :-D

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 02:36 PM

Ah, Dave, but is it a hook?

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,The Sandman
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 05:04 PM

What matters is how the music is played, not names

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,AI OVERVIEW The Sandman
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 05:13 PM

riff is a main, repeated musical phrase that often defines a song (like "Smoke on the Water"), forming its backbone, while a lick is a shorter, more decorative melodic phrase or "nugget" of notes, often improvised within solos or as fills, that can be moved between songs. Think of a riff as the essential furniture of a room, and licks as decorative pillows you can swap out; licks build solos, while riffs are the song's recognizable theme

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Stilly River Sage
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 05:30 PM

Who cares about an AI overview? Stick with the human brain, please.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler
Date: 16 Dec 25 - 06:18 PM

I would say that I consider a riff to be a distinctive feature of a particular song or tune that will alway call that song or tune to mind.

I would say that a lick is a feature that may be found lurking in multiple tunes or songs and is re-used as needed where appropriate.

Robin (no AI consulted).

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: The Sandman
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 03:13 AM

Who cares about an AI overview? Stick with the human brain, please." quote
That is my choice, it is not the job of a moderator to tell members how they should get correct info

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 04:12 AM

It is a moderators job to stop people shitting on other people's threads though, Dick. I'm sure your attempts to cause trouble will be cleaned up - for the umpteenth time - but it would be nice if you would stop trolling for a while.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 04:15 AM

Thanks Robin. With thar description I would definitely consider the opening of Parisienne Walkways to be a riff then.

Steve, stop confusing me even more :-D

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,gillymor
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 06:16 AM

In jazz parlance I think that opening would be considered a "head", it sounds kind of long to be a riff.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Johnny J
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 06:32 AM

When it is a "raff"?
;-)

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 07:47 AM

If a song was a tree ....
The riff = the bough
The lyrics = the branches
The licks = the leaves

Feel free to disagree ;-)

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 09:36 AM

I like that, Sol :-) Where does the tune fit in? Trunk or roots?

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: clueless don
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 11:21 AM

How about a "phrase"?

I remember reading that John Lennon described the opening guitar part of "I Feel Fine" as a "figure".

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 06:36 PM

"DTG -I like that, Sol :-) Where does the tune fit in? Trunk or roots?"
Good point! I guess it's integral with the lyrics.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 06:37 PM

ps ... and or the bough. Take your pick.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 17 Dec 25 - 07:01 PM

Don - Am I misremembering or the opening to "I feel fine" a long note which distorts part way through?

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: The Sandman
Date: 18 Dec 25 - 03:22 AM

Yes it starts with a long note.
providing correct information which is what i did with the help of AI , is not shitting on other peoples threads

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Dec 25 - 04:14 AM

Maybe not but criticisng the sites moderation policy is and will inevitably get removed. As wil this comment.

Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 18 Dec 25 - 04:19 AM

What direct risks does AI pose to the climate and environment?

Now, can we just get on with the subject?

And as per my opening post I would prefer answers from real people rather than a cut and paste from either AI or a seaech engine. Thank you.