Can a simple chord progression be called a riff?

Question

Like for example if you played this chord progression - chord per beat : C, A, F, G would it be known as a riff. I was just wondering because normally when I hear the word riff I automatically think of a complicated rhthmic idea playing under the melody.

Also, when writing songs should I try to include more interesting riffs than just playing simple chord progresions? Thankyou for your help!

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

no, a chord progression cannot be called a riff. If ou repeated it enough then it could be called one. but usually, A riff is a piece played on the lead guitar, i.e. - a series of notes. A riff basically repeats itself, otherwise it's just a plain melody. So a riff is a melody. riffs are usually accompanied by some sort of rhythm guitar in the background, but it is not necessary.

When writing songs, it's usually good to include a riff. whether it is fast/slow, depends on the kind of song you want to write. But remember not to overplay it. a good riff makes its appearance only a few times in the song, and is catchy enough to be remembered. (eg - one before the lyrics, during the chorus, or maybe during the bridge or after the lyrics. Dont overdo it.).
remember, a riff is only a bonus in a song. the real structure comes from the chord progressions!

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Cool cheers - thanx for the advice!

Answer 2

i guess but a long solo is much cooler

Answer 3

I would say mix up riffs and chord progressions. I don't know what the "official" definition of a riff is, so I can't help with the technicalities.

Answer 4

yea, a riff can be whatever. And just because something is complicated doesn't make it better. It is art, so it is about what has more soul that really counts.

Answer 5

Yes, it would be a riff. And, to feel awesome, name the riff. ;-)

Source(s):

Played guitar for a few years

Answer 6

yah i guess u can call it a riff.

yah try to make catchy riffs that u will remeber and that will make other people remeber

Answer 7

a riff is a repeated set of notes, so if you did that chord progression, but repeated it a few times, then it would indeed be a riff. however, it is good to try more complicated or diverse riffs too.

Answer 8

I don't think that a riff necessarily has to be complicated, but it has to be more than just chords, or it is, as you say, a chord progression. Generally a riff will have some sort of simple melodic movement that is memorable in some way. Try throwing in a few notes between chords to add more interesting elements.

Answer 9

While the chord pattern is important. The riff is usually the melody line over it. Usually repeated at least 2xs. Sometimes it's called the hook.

Answer 10

Sure Buzz ! Any time you build a progression you have a "riff" Most Musicians use time tested and true progressions like the 8 or 12 bar blues. It's always good to throw in a break some where in a tune to give it some life.

Source(s):

Bass/ Guitar/ Mandolin player from way back....

Answer 11

Absolutely!! A riff can be as simple as one note a great example (WALK by Pantera)...it's more what you do with it,a chord progression (as you have ) is most certainly a "riff"...THERE ARE NO RULES in music...sometimes the "less is more" approach works great,as opposed to the all my riffs in one song approach,again there is no right or wrong!! A riff is what you make it..
When writing it's all up to you and what you feel the song needs...is simple better sounding or feeling..or would the Cmajadd4 (example of more "interesting")compared to C chord. Do what you get off on !!! GETCHA PULL!!!

you can have the "main riff"
the "verse riff"
the "chorus riff"
the "pre chorus riff"
the "outro riff"....there is no set formula to designate a" riff"on where it's played or how many time's,it would just fall under these categories..generally...NO RULES apply.A chord progression could definately be a "riff" even if its played once in a song!!

Source(s):

Active Musician 25+ Years

Answer 12

a riff is more like a catchy sequence of notes that people are gonna hum for years after they hear it on the radio, you know? it's like a hook

Answer 13

you could say that

Answer 14

A riff can be just some chords, but it needs something interesting to really be called a riff.

If the rhythm is interesting it can be a riff.

The best riffs are the ones that are so familiar their unusable for every other artist thereafter, because you immiditaly think of one song. (like the first notes of Smoke on the water, Smells like Teen Spirit, almost every song of AC/DC).

Answer 15

When writing and recording, we speak of 'the riffs' as in each seperate section defined by a different progression in notes/chords/combo or a change (of riff), so second riff, third riff, repeat first riff and so on.....its just semantics i reckon.

C A F G, repeated twice or 4 times, thats a riff, then you then change to playing something else, and thats the second riff, etc.

WHY NOT call them LICKS heheheheeeee ;)


When writing, you should go wherever your fingers take you on the fretboard....WATCH OUT for mistakes - they can often be the most blindingly brilliant riffs ever.

Source(s):

various