What Is a Riff in Singing

In this post we are going to go through what is a riff in singing, why they may be difficult to sing and give you a sure-fire way to get good at them quickly. Are you ready? Let’s Go!

What Actually Is a Riff

There are two very similar embellishments in music singing. One is called a riff and the other is called a run. I’m not going to go into the technical details of what one is and what one isn’t. I don’t think you are really interested in that and would much rather just get on with singing them.

However, what they are is a kind of twiddle around on notes that aren’t really part of the song but aim to make it even better than it already is. Don’t get confused with a riff and vibrato. They are very different things. In fact, there are some people that cannot really do vibrato at all yet are amazing at riffing.

As you may know, there are seven main notes in the scale: from A to G and then back to A again. As well as these notes, there are some flats and sharps in the scale as well.

Now let’s say that the next note that you have to sing is an A and you are singing an F right now. There are two ways to get from F to A. The first way is just to sing it and go down from the F to the A. However, you can also perform a riff in between the two notes to embellish it. In some cases, this takes the song to the next level. This can be singing something like “DEBCA” or something like that or something more appropriate to the song. In fact, it can even be just singing down the scale very quickly and that can be the riff. And that, in essence, is it.

How to Learn How to Riff

Talking about riffs may be great and all that, but really, you just wanna know how to actually sing them. So that’s what I’m going to teach you now.

Step 1 Breathing

This is almost a prerequisite to being able to sing riffs. You have to have good breath control in order to sing riffs well. The reason for this is that a riff is a series of different notes that is done very quickly.

This being the case, you have to be able to control how they come out. Not all at once in one great sigh, but carefully and with agility. Therefore, it’s important to breath correctly when riffing. Check out how to do so with this post.

Step 2 – Practice Singing Two Notes Next to Each Other 

For this step, it’s not important which notes you choose, just make them next to each other in an area of your voice that is comfortable. Just go up and down slowly and carefully. You are not aiming to sing with vibrato here. You want to have clean and clear notes.

Once you feel that you have two notes down pat, then you can move on and add a third. And a fourth. But please, don’t push it in this stage as what you are focusing on is clarity, not speed.

Step 3 – Singing Staccato Notes

For this step in riff singing you have to sing some staccato notes. What this means is to sing one note and then stop suddenly before moving on to the next one. You don’t need to breathe in for every single note, but you do need to stop your breath before each one. There needs to be a complete break in your airflow before you sing the next note.

The reason why this is an important step is because you need to train your brain and body to think that every single note is a different event. This is the ultimate secret to singing riffs.

Every Single Note Is Different!

Step 4 – Listen Carefully 

If you just want to make up your own riffs then that’s fine. However, at least in the beginning, you may as well learn from the singers who have recorded them already and perfected what they want to sing. You should always try an easier one and master that before moving on to the next one.

In order to listen to the riff properly you have to really slow it down. This is why I would recommend that you download a sweet little program called Amazing Slow Downer.

Since you are only going to be using it for a short riff, you don’t even need the full version and the free one is more than sufficient. Load the track that you want to get the riff from and you can just play around with the speed so that you will be able to listen to every single note in the riff.

The beauty about this little app is that whereas most speed control apps change the pitch as well as the speed, this one does not and you can practice singing in the same pitch that your singer does. In fact, you can actually loop the riff so you can listen to it again and again before you even start working on it.

Step 5 – Try to Sing the Riff Bit by Bit

There is no race here and the only way to learn a riff is slowly. You may have heard some singers being able to sing upwards of 20 notes per second. They did not start at this speed though! Break it up bit by bit. Once you have the notes and are clear on the order then you can start to build it up.

The most important tip that I can give you when it comes to riff singing is that you have to go slowly and only then pick it up.

This is the ONLY way to learn how to sing riffs well.

Step 6 – Don’t Sing the Actual Sound

One thing that I have found very helpful is to sing the riff with a consonant such as a ‘buh’ or ‘geh’ sound. This ensures that you get a really good, bright and clear sound when you are singing the riff. As well as this, having to close your mouth for every note ensures that your breath control is in order.

After you are confident that you have got the notes correctly, then you can switch out and let the music flow a little bit more.

Step 7 – Get the Rhythm

When you are completely clear on every single note in the riff then you can start working out if there is a specific rhythm to the riff. There often is and unfortunately, they are not always simple. Again, the key here is just to go slowly. If you do, then you will be on the path of success!

Which Vocal Register Should I Be Using to Sing a Riff?

Even in the future when you are completely confident and can blast out any note that you want, it’s not so advisable to try and riff whilst belting. Singing riffs is a very agile sport and the more agile your voice is, the easier it will be to sing riffs.

This being the case, I would say just sing in the voice register that you are most at ease with. This may be the chest voice, the head voice, or a mix. Just as long as you are comfortable and feel confident in your ability to hit every note in the riff. That’s the right voice for you.

What Speed Should You Riff At?

You can riff at whatever speed you want to. It’s important to remember that riffing is about decorating the music. You decorate your house the way you want. You should do the same with your music. There are some songs that it will work well in, there are others not so.

If the song is slow and sultry, maybe just a short riff helps. If the song is designed to show off your ability, then the more you add to it, the better.

The most important thing to remember is that the song and singing is just an extension of you and your personality. If it fits what you are trying to achieve in the song, the lyrics, your interpretation of them, and your personality then go for it. If the entire reason you are doing so is just to show off, then my advice to you is to just leave it.

Are There Easier Vowel Sounds to Riff in Than Others?

It’s important to know that there are some easier sounds to riff on than others. Try it yourself with an ‘oo’ sound and an ‘ah sound. You will find that it is way easier in the ‘oo’, when you mouth is more closed, than when it is open.

Should You Do Funny Things with Your Mouth When Riffing?

I’m sure you’ve seen your favorite artists singing and doing all kinds of funny things with their mouths. Honestly, whatever. I don’t care. I would say that as a classically trained singer it’s ugly and completely unnecessary.

But at the same time since so many, if not all pop and rock singers do it, I’m not going to advise against it. However, what I will say is that if you can try and do it without moving your lips too much then you’re doing a great job!

In Closing

Singing riffs is great fun and can really liven up a song. In fact, I love to sing them just as a little vocal warm up, even if I’m not going to do so in a performance. Good luck and remember to experiment. If you’ve got any questions or comments, feel free to leave them below. Till next time!