riffs
n. countablen. short, catchy patterns of notes that repeat in a song. You usually hear them played on a guitar or piano to give the music its main character.
n. repeated melodic phrases or rhythmic patterns that serve as a structural foundation in jazz, rock, or popular music. Often used figuratively to describe variations on a central theme or idea.
The guitarist played several catchy riffs during the show.
The song is built around heavy guitar riffs that repeat throughout the chorus to create a powerful sound.
While the bassist maintained a steady rhythm, the lead guitarist experimented with bluesy riffs that paid homage to the genre's pioneers while introducing modern harmonic textures.
Commonly used in the plural when referring to a collection of musical phrases or a series of variations.