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When is a riff not a riff?

16 Dec 25 - 11:28 AM (#4233051)
Subject: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome

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


16 Dec 25 - 02:36 PM (#4233068)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,Steve Shaw

Ah, Dave, but is it a hook?


16 Dec 25 - 05:04 PM (#4233074)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,The Sandman

What matters is how the music is played, not names


16 Dec 25 - 05:13 PM (#4233075)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,AI OVERVIEW The Sandman

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


16 Dec 25 - 05:30 PM (#4233078)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Stilly River Sage

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


16 Dec 25 - 06:18 PM (#4233079)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Black belt caterpillar wrestler

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).


17 Dec 25 - 03:13 AM (#4233089)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: The Sandman

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


17 Dec 25 - 04:12 AM (#4233090)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome

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.


17 Dec 25 - 04:15 AM (#4233091)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome

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


17 Dec 25 - 06:16 AM (#4233096)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: GUEST,gillymor

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


17 Dec 25 - 06:32 AM (#4233097)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Johnny J

When it is a "raff"?
;-)


17 Dec 25 - 07:47 AM (#4233103)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol

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

Feel free to disagree ;-)


17 Dec 25 - 09:36 AM (#4233107)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome

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


17 Dec 25 - 11:21 AM (#4233112)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: clueless don

How about a "phrase"?

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


17 Dec 25 - 06:36 PM (#4233129)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol

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


17 Dec 25 - 06:37 PM (#4233130)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Sol

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


17 Dec 25 - 07:01 PM (#4233133)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: Dave the Gnome

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


18 Dec 25 - 03:22 AM (#4233142)
Subject: RE: When is a riff not a riff?
From: The Sandman

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