Guitar Nine Focus: Riffs

In music, a riff is a repeated sequence of notes in a piece of music. A good guitar riff, for example, drives the song, is often memorable, and gives structure and character to a track. Classic and notable guitar riffs most commonly appear in rock, metal, jazz, and Latin music.

Here are some great articles by our columnists that have appeared over the years on the subject of riffs.

Scott Morris
Scott Morris

A brand new column by Billboard Magazine Top Rated Instructor Scott Morris.

Dan Keller
Dan Keller

Let the Sultan of String blend, meld, mix and match scales, yielding a unique, exotic effect.

Randy Ellefson
Randy Ellefson

How using only two fingers creates more advanced possibilities for interval riffs.

Randy Ellefson
Randy Ellefson

A look at ornamenting interval riffs with melody fragments.

Randy Ellefson
Randy Ellefson

Guitarist Randy Ellefson introduces two basic ideas in counterpoint: oblique motion and contrary motion.

Jonas Tamas
Jonas Tamas

Even the simplest idea can be rekindled with the help of little embellishments.

Tom Hess
Tom Hess Opus 2

Tom Hess talks about how you can by use creative rhythm guitar practice methods to write your own rock and metal guitar riffs.

Mike Campese
Mike Campese: The Fire Within

Mike shows you several ways to spice up your riffs, lines and solos with some chromatic passing tones.

Tommaso Zillio
Tommaso Zillio

Did you know? Professional guitarists may spend at least 30% of their time refining this skill.