Why is it called a Riff in a Guitar?
The term “riff” is a crucial concept in music, especially in the context of guitar playing, where it typically refers to a sequence of notes or chords that are played in a rhythmic pattern. Riffs play a significant role in defining the character of a song and are commonly found in rock, blues, and jazz music. They can serve as an introduction, a hook, or a recurring element throughout a piece.
The Origin of “Riff”
The origin of the term “riff” is uncertain, adding to its allure and mystique. It may have come from the word “refrain,” meaning a familiar and catchy part of a song that repeats. Alternatively, it may be a word that stuck because it literally sounded right, “between” meanings, or it could have originated from the word “ruffle” or “riffle,” suggesting musical phrases that comprised the core of a song.
Some suggest it might be a shortening of “refrain,” and this seems plausible since the period when the term came into common use, in the 1930s, coincides with the swing jazz era, which relied heavily on repeated phrases for dance music. The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) defines it as: “In jazz and popular music: a short repeated musical phrase often with a strong or syncopated rhythm played over changing chords or harmonies, or used as a background to a solo improvisation.”
The Early Use of the Term “Riff”
The earliest published use of the word “riff” dates back to Tune Times in 1934, where it appeared in the context of jazz piano music: “He runs through the gamut of negro piano riffs.” Another early usage was found in the Pittsburgh Courier in 1933: “They pay to hear…riffing of saxophones.”
The Etymology and Influence on Music
The term “riff” seems to have evolved from earlier poetic devices, such as refrains. For instance, in Shakespeare’s “As You Like It,” he explores the concept of refrains in his famous carol:
“It was a lover and his lass, With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino, That o’er the green cornfield did pass, In springtime the only pretty ring time. When birds do sing hey ding a ding ding, Sweet lovers love the spring.”
Here, the phrase “With a hey and a ho and a hey nonino” is repeated multiple times, serving as a refrain. Over the years, this idea of a repeated phrase evolved into the contemporary term “riff” for a musical idea in jazz and popular music.
Technical vs. Slang Usage
While many musicians use the term “riff” in their vernacular, others may prefer more formal terms like “etude” to describe such musical phrases. An etude is a short, technical piece of music meant to develop and display a performer's technical ability, and it often comprises only a few notes played repeatedly to build skills. However, for everyday use, “riff” remains the more accessible and commonly used term among musicians and music enthusiasts.
In conclusion, the term “riff” is a fascinating concept in music that has a rich historical and etymological background. Its evolution from literary refrains to the jazz and rock traditions is a testament to the fluidity and adaptability of language in preserving and sharing musical ideas.