mitchhermanyahoo.com Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 Ok.. I've been a musician my whole life, I was humming in the womb as it were... I'm almost old enough to have kids with kids... and it wasn't until today that somebody asked me why they call 'em riffs. Anybody know? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stanner Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 well,correct me if i'm wrong an' i'll eat a bug but the etymology of the word is unknown, i have read mutations of musicians' slang was/is "breaks" then it became"licks" then it was "rips" then to "riffs'... 'the repeated phrases which the brass and reed sections threw back and forth became known as "riffs" and "riffing' developed as a fine art.' that last quote is from the book 'jazz talk' by robt.s. gold there are more descriptions if ya want 'um... AMPSSOUNDBETTERLOUDER Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchhermanyahoo.com Posted October 6, 2001 Author Share Posted October 6, 2001 Thanks for the info - to me the relationship 'tween food & music was always sort of obvious to me... ie - "that's a tasty lick".. which might have something freudian-esque in an oralfixative fashiion... or perhaps that starving for the art is a bit more real than most want to admit. *grin* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 [quote]to me the relationship 'tween food & music was always sort of obvious to me... ie - "that's a tasty lick".. which might have something freudian-esque in an oralfixative fashiion.[/quote] hahaha, dude, they (most likely late 40s-mid50s Jazz players) weren't talking about food...what influences more musicians than anything else? ............do I have to answer it?.......starts with a P......ends in a Y.......hehe http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thoughtintruder Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 [quote]Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc: [b] hahaha, dude, they (most likely late 40s-mid50s Jazz players) weren't talking about food...what influences more musicians than anything else? ............do I have to answer it?.......starts with a P......ends in a Y.......hehe[/b][/quote] Give me an S please... DIng Ding Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve LeBlanc Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 300 dollars do you want to spin or take a crack at the answer...heh, I said crack...hehehe hehe he hee hehe Sorry guys, I am a bit bored at work today. HAPPY FRIDAY! http://www.youtube.com/notesleb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joegerardi Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 [quote]Originally posted by Steve LeBlanc: [b] hahaha, dude, they (most likely late 40s-mid50s Jazz players) weren't talking about food...what influences more musicians than anything else? ............do I have to answer it?.......starts with a P......ends in a Y.......hehe[/b][/quote] [i][b]PASTRY?[/b][/i] Setup: Korg Kronos 61, Roland XV-88, Korg Triton-Rack, Motif-Rack, Korg N1r, Alesis QSR, Roland M-GS64 Yamaha KX-88, KX76, Roland Super-JX, E-Mu Longboard 61, Kawai K1II, Kawai K4. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not Cereal Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 pansy? parsley? gash? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mitchhermanyahoo.com Posted October 6, 2001 Author Share Posted October 6, 2001 one is what one eats.... so call me a... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RaGe Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 Polytonality! ... uh no, wait that was early 60's. This message has been edited by RaGe on 10-05-2001 at 10:32 PM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fantasticsound Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 Pastry? (In the Tedster-as-Homer-Simpson vibe..) Mmmmm... P-a-s-t-r-y.... ------------------ Neil [b]Reality[/b]: [i]A few moments of lucidity surrounded by insanity.[/i] It's easiest to find me on Facebook. Neil Bergman Soundclick fntstcsnd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stephen Fortner Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 The five elements of which everything in the universe is composed... if you're a musician. Riffs. Gigs. Chops. Axes. Clams. Stephen Fortner Principal, Fortner Media Former Editor in Chief, Keyboard Magazine Digital Piano Consultant, Piano Buyer Magazine Industry affiliations: Antares, Arturia, Giles Communications, MS Media, Polyverse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted October 6, 2001 Share Posted October 6, 2001 I know what the 'big apple' means... -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro Jules Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 Refrain? The refrain gtr part? The 'riff'? seems logical cap'n.. ------------------ Jules Producer Julian Standen London, UK Take the tour! http://www.librarystudio.com Jules Producer Julian Standen London, UK, Come hang here! http://www.gearslutz.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
not coaster MODERATOR Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 [quote]Originally posted by DC: [b]I know what the 'big apple' means...[/b][/quote] I've pondered this and the best I can do is that the city is a big apple full of "worms" which would be the subways running through it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Hill Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 Merriam - Webster Dictionary says: Main Entry: riff Pronunciation: 'rif Function: noun Etymology: probably by shortening & alteration from refrain Date: 1935 1 : an ostinato phrase (as in jazz) typically supporting a solo improvisation; also : a piece based on such a phrase 2 : a short succinct usually witty comment; also : BIT, ROUTINE http://www.m-w.com ------------------ Ufuk Onen [url=http://www.SisProductions.com]www.SisProductions.com[/url] Ankara, Turkey Ufuk Onen www.UfukOnen.com Ankara, Turkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DC Posted October 7, 2001 Share Posted October 7, 2001 [quote]Originally posted by Cereal: [b] I've pondered this and the best I can do is that the city is a big apple full of "worms" which would be the subways running through it.[/b][/quote] In the old days, musicians refered to their gig pay as 'apple.' Gigs paid way better in New York City than anywhere else in the country so the phrase was coined; 'big apple' meaning the city with the best paying gigs. -David http://www.garageband.com/artist/MichaelangelosMuse Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daddy-o Posted October 8, 2001 Share Posted October 8, 2001 I'd like to buy a vowel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pro Jules Posted October 9, 2001 Share Posted October 9, 2001 Thanks Hazy hill..!! [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I had some nice Turkish snacks (pistacio pastries) for breakfast and the main luch at the studio is 'Turkish pizza'!!! [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Jules Jules Producer Julian Standen London, UK, Come hang here! http://www.gearslutz.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazy Hill Posted October 21, 2001 Share Posted October 21, 2001 [quote]Originally posted by Julian standen: [b]Thanks Hazy hill..!! [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] I had some nice Turkish snacks (pistacio pastries) for breakfast and the main luch at the studio is 'Turkish pizza'!!! [img]http://www.musicplayer.com/ubb/smile.gif[/img] Jules[/b][/quote] Jules, by telling "Turkish Pizza" you mean "pide" - which is the original name for it? ------------------ Ufuk Onen [url=http://www.SisProductions.com]www.SisProductions.com[/url] Ankara, Turkey Ufuk Onen www.UfukOnen.com Ankara, Turkey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dansouth Posted October 22, 2001 Share Posted October 22, 2001 Riff is the shortened form of Rifkowitz. If, for instance, your name is Benjamin Rifkowitz and you want to try out for a doo-wop revival gig, slick your hair back, buy a tacky tux jacker, and call yourself Biff Riff. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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