A riff is a repeated chord progression or melodic figure, often played by the bass instruments, that forms the basis or an important part of a rock music or jazz composition; an ostinato figure.
Examples of music that depend on riffs for their effect:
- Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
- In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida by Iron Butterfly
- Na Na Hey Hey Goodbye by Steam
- Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple
- Stayin' Alive by the Bee Gees
- Vision Thing by the Sisters of Mercy
- The Glorious Om Riff by Steve Hillage
- Master of the Universe by Hawkwind
- One of These Days by Pink Floyd
- ''Beat It"" by Michael Jackson