Riff? Lick?

[gahligahli]

What do they mean?

[StoneDragon]

These are slang terms.

Riff originally referred to playing a single note line instead of a chord progression for the main part of the tune or intro... think Satisfaction by the Stones as opposed to Proud Mary by CCR.

Lick originally referred to any certain combination of notes that the lead guitar player used in practically every solo. Every guitar player has their "pet" licks that they throw into a solo when they run out of ideas.

Today, you will find that these terms are used interchangably and seem to be "catch-all" phrases that could mean practically anything when it comes to describing music.

[gahligahli]

OK, thanks SD.