riff

A riff is a short, recurring musical phrase or motif — typically a brief melodic fragment, rhythmic pattern, or harmonic progression — repeated and variably developed within a larger composition or improvisation. Its parameters are (1) length: a concise phrase, not an extended section; (2) repetition: the phrase returns across the performance, anchoring the piece; (3) variation: each recurrence may alter pitch, rhythm, ornamentation, or texture while preserving core identity; (4) function: it serves as a structural anchor and a vehicle for improvisational exploration. It persists through performance tradition, notation (lead sheets, transcriptions), and the pedagogical practice of learning by ear and by example. [formal: riff | substrate: behavior | horizon: hours | explicit: yes | epoch: 0.10]