riff music

Meanings

1. 1noununcountable

   Music built around short, repeated melodic or rhythmic phrases, especially in rock, metal, and funk.

   Grammar: Uncountable, so say 'riff music' or 'a piece of riff music', not 'a riff music'.

   Patterns

   • play riff music
   • be known for riff music
   • riff music from a band

   Their new album is pure riff music, with almost no singing.

   He grew up on riff music and learned three chords before he could read notes.

   The station plays riff music all night, so it is great for the gym.

2. 2noununcountableinformal

   A style of playing in which one short phrase is repeated many times as the main idea of a song.

   Grammar: Often used after 'a style of' or with adjectives like 'heavy' and 'bluesy'.

   Patterns

   • a style of riff music
   • heavy riff music
   • riff music played on guitar

   Critics described the record as a style of riff music borrowed from the seventies.

   Her band mixes bluesy riff music with electronic beats.

Common combinations

heavy riff music

The festival closed with two hours of heavy riff music.

play riff music

They play riff music in the garage every weekend.

a riff-driven song

It is a riff-driven song, so the guitar carries the tune.

classic riff music

Fans of classic riff music will recognize the opening chords.

riff music band

A local riff music band opened the show.

Synonyms and how they differ

riff-rock

More specific: it names a rock subgenre, while riff music can also cover metal, funk, or jazz.

groove

Groove stresses rhythm and feel rather than the repeated melodic phrase itself.

Word family

riff noun

One short repeated phrase in a song.

riffing noun

The act of playing or creating riffs.

riffy adjective

Informal word meaning full of memorable riffs.

Commonly confused: riff music or riff?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “riff music”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words