A repeated phrase or pattern in music, often catchy and memorable; also means to improvise or riff on an idea.
Shortened from 'riffle,' possibly related to the rapid shuffling sound. The term became prominent in jazz in the 1920s and entered broader use in rock and hip-hop.
Some of the most famous riffs in music history—like the opening of Led Zeppelin's 'Whole Lotta Love'—are instantly recognizable and get stuck in your head, which is why musicians and composers build riffs specifically to be memorable and catchy.
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