Re: [Harp-L] Definition of riff & lick

[The Iceman <icemanle@xxxxxxx>]

riff - 
(in popular music and jazz) a short repeated phrase, frequently played over changing chords or harmonies or used as a background to a solo improvisation.
"a brilliant guitar riff"


a lick is "a stock pattern or phrase" [2] consisting of a short series of notes that is used in solos and melodic lines and accompaniment. 


A lick is different from the related concept of a riff in that riffs can also include repeated chord progressions. Licks are usually associated with single-note melodic lines rather than chord progressions. However, like riffs, licks can be used as the basis of an entire song. Single-line riffs or licks used as the basis of Western classical music pieces are called ostinatos. Contemporary jazz writers also use riff- or lick-like ostinatos in modal music and Latin jazz.




wikipedia is a good thing



-----Original Message-----
From: Harri Haka <harri.haka@xxxxxxxxx>
To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wed, Jun 4, 2014 7:42 am
Subject: [Harp-L] Definition of riff & lick


This is a question of minor significance, but interesting. What is the 
difference between a riff and a lick, if any?
Harri