Riff – A short, repeated musical pattern used in popular music; short melodic phrase

To help remember what riff means, use the following mnemonic:

"No riff-raff (riff) allowed" I was told after playing a short melodic phrase, and then I was thrown out.

Examples of riff in a sentence

The rock song had a catchy riff.

I've spent hours learning this riff on guitar.

Which riff is your favourite?