A solo is where a guitar is the main focus of a specific part of a song. A lick is essentially a riff, but shorter and it happens either once or not much at all. A riff is a structure that continues throughout a song, and also constitutes the main structure of parts.
I guess I would have presented it lick, riff, solo. The sequence from smaller and simpler to rhythmic and longer and finally thematic and more expressive. I love how you're able to dissect and explain what the electric guitar can do. You could develop a glossary of the musical terms with demonstrations how to produce all the wonderful sounds and effects from the music we love so well.
I’ll clear it up for you. A riff is a repeated pattern of notes or chords played throughout the song, also the basis of the song. A lick is usually played as an intro or to enhance the song, but not played throughout like a riff. A guitar solo is added to a song to sometimes enhance the song taking a break from the verse/chorus vocals & can be based around the melody.
I always thought riffs were the guitar parts of a song that didn't involve chords or leads. Riff and Licks were synonyms as far as I knew. Nice playing.
A riff repeats and can often be the driving force behind the song (think enter sandman from Metallica). A solo is the melody the guitar plays that doesn't repeat (think Freebird from Lynyrd Skynyrd). And a lick is a *short* musical phrase that doesn't repeat (think Buddy Holly by Weezer).
My goodness he makes me want to quit.. Not even guitar but quit life.. You can just tell he barely is keeping it together I don't wish bad for him but I know he would hate me loll Bottled up pent up
In my world the term Solo is actually the most confusing - a trio is three musicians on a stage, a duo is two, and when you play a solo piece you are the only person playing, probably handling melody, bass, middle voices on your own instrument - think Tommy Emmanuel or Andrés Segovia, or just any pianist.
A riff is usually at the beginning of the song and repeats throughout the song and a lick is a one time piece that is layer and a solo is the typically in the middle of the song and is only guitar and/or drums playing
@@Wabbajock_Dugatti I think it 3as a great example, continues through most of the song, it's the foundational guitar part, and not jsit strumming, so it's a perfect riff
I always thought riffs were what constructed an intro, verse, chorus, bridge and so on. A solo is what was played over top of those in certain spots either by themselves, with a rhythm behind it, with or without vocals. A lick compliments the constructed riffs and rhythms (almost mini solos of a few notes). That’s basically what you showed here.
A lick is the used once then not again in the song like the intro to Johnny B Goode. A riff is used multiple times like the intro to sweet child of mine. A solo is ya know just a solo.
@@lofiren8245 I know what you are saying but I would say a lick can be used multiple times in a song and still be called a lick if it has no correlation to the riff. We are splitting hairs now but sounds like we know what we are talking about. Lol
@@SdMbL1yeah, a lick is just a sort of pre-thought-out figure you throw in during comping or soloing. When you solo, you usually (or at least I do) throw in truly extemporaneous lines peppered with licks joining them.
@@lofiren8245 ZZ Top gimme all your Lovin. " it's like a hammershot..." that's a guitar lick that follows that part of the vocal. In ZZ Top. Legs. The pulsating throbbing rapid rhythm that pervades the entire song that's a riff. You select the Billy Gibbons guitar solo that you think is illustrative or really grabs you. One of the other commenters said that's not a guitar solo that's just lead electric guitar. Feel free to suggest your favorite examples.
Here's another metaphor. A lick is a building block. A riff is a basic structure, made of blocks, around which a house is built. The song is the house. The solo is the Christmas decorations on the house
Riffs: Motifs used throughout a guitar line, which are perfectly timed to repeat starting at beat 1. Solos: Long melodies with no real motifs, that usually use single notes as opposed to chords. Licks: A musical idea which could become a solo or a riff, but is short and underdeveloped.
✍️ So a part of a Riff can be a lick ✍️, a solo is made out of Licks, ✍️ A lick can be a solo if long enough ✍️ a lick can be a riff if repeated ✍️ … got it
Riffs are repeated phrases and are core to the structure of the song. A lot of the time they outline chords and and chord progressions but they dont have to. Licks are similar to drum fills as in they are short musical phrases used in passing (between vocals, part changes, empty spaces.) They can be repeated note for note but a lot of players like to improvise their licks in different sections because its fun. Solos are long form and fit over top the songs structure. They can be any combination of rhythm and melody and can be as long or short as you want None of these guidelines are drawn in stone. This is just how i categorize these ideas
Back when I started playing guitar, I thought,lick, and riff, was the same thing, but then I started listening to ACDC, then I was like ok Malcolm is playing the riff, Angus is playing the lick,/solo
Bad explonation ngl Better one: 1. Riff, some cycled chords that making rhythm. 2. Solo, the melody that plays when the guitar is becoming lead instrument in the certain amount of time. 3. Lick, short solo, can be played when song is modulating.
A guitar solo is a part of a song that highlights specifically the guitar, a riff is typically a repeating phrase, and a lick is like ornamentation. The lines between the last two can be blurry though, one man's riff is another man's lick.
I think everybody knows what a solo is. The confusion seems to be between a lick and a riff, because they are so similar. And I don’t think it really matters. If you’re in a band, and you tell your band mates I’m gonna play this riff here, and it happens to be what one or more of them consider to be a lick, they’re still going to know what you’re talking about, and it’s not really going to be an issue.
Licks are like the phrases that make up a solo. Solos are just licks stitched together that make sense together. A solo is self explanatory. A riff is just a repeating set of notes that make up the rhythm. Can be anything.
I appreciate and understand what you mean, but I don't think this helped the non-musicians. A riff, is a rhythmic melody. A lick is a jind fill, or flourish. A solo is when the guitar goes on a, usually improvised, tangent separate from the rest of the band. A solo still goes with the music, just to clarify.
Lick: cool little phrase that doesn't usually come again Riff: cool little phrase that a song is usually built on Solo: cool big phrase that everyone is focused on
Your Awesome.. Beautiful Gibson BTW Have you watched THE TRAGICALLY HIP live at the Misty Moon Halifax .. I'm ALMOST positive that the album UP TO HERE was recorded right off the board that night..
-A riff IS the actual song, it’s played continuously, like how come as you are is 0 1 2 yata yata. It’s the background, the baseline. -a solo isn’t the entire song, it’s basically the equivalent to a guitar singing. It’s a special part. -a lick is just a specific technique or part that can be used in a solo, but it’s pretty short so obviously can’t be considered a solo in and of itself.
Riffs: A guitar part that repeats, is usually played in the lower register, and contains things like chords. Solos: Idk they're solos Licks: Short little phrases contained in a solo that don't repeat.
Guitar riffs are often used for intros or rhythms. Guitar solos are fillers or ad-libs Guitar licks are often favorite scales or patterns used by guitarists.
the video and comment section is hurting. i blame the lack of music education funding. a riff is a MOTIF or repetitive idea easily recognizable. examples are smoke on the water's overly abused line before they get to singing the verse same goes with seven nation army or ace of spades. its not a full lyrical melody, its little noodles that is set to a rhythmic pattern. a LICK, is just a phrase extracted from a solo or other piece of music. it's usually referenced , transposed, or just pasted onto another solo. A Solo is self explanatory, its when a musician deviates from the rhythm section to highlight changes within a certain amount of bars in the music with melodic ideas. you can paste licks onto solos or embellish the riffs on certain tunes to make em into solos.
Gibson's always sound a little out of tune to me. They should sort that out. Prs have a similar head with slightly different tuner locations, perhaps copy that.
Licks are words, Riffs are sentences, Solos are monologues
yeah no
Probably sounded better in your head
It's very simple, a riff is a musical phrase that is repeated throughout a song
Couldn’t have said it better my self
@@bg22757pretty accurate but not simple. I went down a rabbit hole looking up the origins of the word.
A solo is where a guitar is the main focus of a specific part of a song. A lick is essentially a riff, but shorter and it happens either once or not much at all. A riff is a structure that continues throughout a song, and also constitutes the main structure of parts.
A lick also can be really anything, a strum, a picking of a note, even a slide up or down could be a lick ....
Forget explaining those three things, somebody needs to explain to him how to tune his guitar!
I disagree but I dig you and love your instructional videos - you’re such a genuine person and real musician.
You are an artist on guitar man. Kudos and Thank you
Many thanks for your post excellent and I can definitely relate to. Have a most wonderful day 💙
I guess I would have presented it lick, riff, solo. The sequence from smaller and simpler to rhythmic and longer and finally thematic and more expressive. I love how you're able to dissect and explain what the electric guitar can do. You could develop a glossary of the musical terms with demonstrations how to produce all the wonderful sounds and effects from the music we love so well.
Excellent info
The answer is subjective. But I would at least say that licks are generally building blocks to both a solo and a riff. 🤟
Riffs are what stay throughout the song, solos are parts where the guitar the is main event, and licks are the details thrown in to spice things up.
Guitar riff the things that repeat through out the whole song. Guitar solo the cool part. Guitar lick that one part of that weezer song.
I’ll clear it up for you.
A riff is a repeated pattern of notes or chords played throughout the song, also the basis of the song.
A lick is usually played as an intro or to enhance the song, but not played throughout like a riff.
A guitar solo is added to a song to sometimes enhance the song taking a break from the verse/chorus vocals & can be based around the melody.
I always saw a solo as a well made sequence of licks. Licks are phrases, solos are full speeches.
I saw the dead milkmen play live at Mississippi nights in St. Louis
I always thought riffs were the guitar parts of a song that didn't involve chords or leads. Riff and Licks were synonyms as far as I knew.
Nice playing.
A riff repeats and can often be the driving force behind the song (think enter sandman from Metallica). A solo is the melody the guitar plays that doesn't repeat (think Freebird from Lynyrd Skynyrd). And a lick is a *short* musical phrase that doesn't repeat (think Buddy Holly by Weezer).
I agree 👍
A guitar riff is nothing more than several notes, strung together, that forms a catchy little phrase, such as the intro to Johnny be good
i was fully expecting to get weezered
What’s the riff he played??
Makes sense if you don't think about it
Angus. Nuff said.
A lick is a riff if it isnt repeated
Which is completely different to a previous video you did on a guitar riff!😂
The comments hear better explain all three of those terms.
No wonder there seems to be great confusion!....Riffs sound just like Solos!!
I’d say all three of those examples are debatable.
Explain in metallica terms
Nobody’s confused about this. Also, in what universe would it matter?
Lick makes up a riff
Solos are made up of a bunch of licks and or riffs
🙄
This is the time to sack the guitar player, get a new one, and move on and become famous.
Great player
Talk less
Play more
My goodness he makes me want to quit..
Not even guitar but quit life..
You can just tell he barely is keeping it together I don't wish bad for him but I know he would hate me loll
Bottled up pent up
"What's the difference between riffs, solos and licks? Well, this is a riff, this is a solo, and this is a lick. Clear?"
"...ummm" 🫤
Riffs: Repeats in the song
Solo: ok, how is this one not self explanatory
Licks: Basically a riff that doesn't repeat
Perfect!
Yours is easy to remember
@@mikecarroll5853 thx
In my world the term Solo is actually the most confusing - a trio is three musicians on a stage, a duo is two, and when you play a solo piece you are the only person playing, probably handling melody, bass, middle voices on your own instrument - think Tommy Emmanuel or Andrés Segovia, or just any pianist.
@@jensthunbo Tommy Emmanuel 🔥
Guitarists arguing over the difference between riffs, licks, and solos meanwhile the rest of the band just wants them to turn their amp down.
Grayt answer😂
Bahahahahaha!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love it!
It's funny cuz it's true!
That literally cleared nothing up.
A riff is usually at the beginning of the song and repeats throughout the song and a lick is a one time piece that is layer and a solo is the typically in the middle of the song and is only guitar and/or drums playing
He probably could've used a better example for riff
@@Wabbajock_Dugatti I think it 3as a great example, continues through most of the song, it's the foundational guitar part, and not jsit strumming, so it's a perfect riff
WTF? Are people that dumb?
His explanation was pretty much impeccable to me.
I understood perfectly.
Hahah true just playing plainly some examples is not the way to explain it
I always thought riffs were what constructed an intro, verse, chorus, bridge and so on. A solo is what was played over top of those in certain spots either by themselves, with a rhythm behind it, with or without vocals. A lick compliments the constructed riffs and rhythms (almost mini solos of a few notes). That’s basically what you showed here.
A lick is the used once then not again in the song like the intro to Johnny B Goode. A riff is used multiple times like the intro to sweet child of mine. A solo is ya know just a solo.
@@lofiren8245 I know what you are saying but I would say a lick can be used multiple times in a song and still be called a lick if it has no correlation to the riff. We are splitting hairs now but sounds like we know what we are talking about. Lol
@@SdMbL1i think just like you
@@SdMbL1yeah, a lick is just a sort of pre-thought-out figure you throw in during comping or soloing. When you solo, you usually (or at least I do) throw in truly extemporaneous lines peppered with licks joining them.
@@lofiren8245
ZZ Top gimme all your Lovin. " it's like a hammershot..." that's a guitar lick that follows that part of the vocal. In ZZ Top. Legs. The pulsating throbbing rapid rhythm that pervades the entire song that's a riff. You select the Billy Gibbons guitar solo that you think is illustrative or really grabs you. One of the other commenters said that's not a guitar solo that's just lead electric guitar. Feel free to suggest your favorite examples.
Riff is your rhythm,solo is melody or voice,licks are your fills and runs.
Great points
„She told me to come, but I was already there“
That is strong innuendo! Lol
Here's another metaphor. A lick is a building block. A riff is a basic structure, made of blocks, around which a house is built. The song is the house. The solo is the Christmas decorations on the house
Riffs: Motifs used throughout a guitar line, which are perfectly timed to repeat starting at beat 1.
Solos: Long melodies with no real motifs, that usually use single notes as opposed to chords.
Licks: A musical idea which could become a solo or a riff, but is short and underdeveloped.
The way I think of it is that riffs make up the song, licks are just little tricks and fills, and solos are awesome
✍️ So a part of a Riff can be a lick ✍️, a solo is made out of Licks, ✍️ A lick can be a solo if long enough ✍️ a lick can be a riff if repeated ✍️ … got it
It's perfect
Damn Jordan Peterson can shred
Riffs are repeated phrases and are core to the structure of the song. A lot of the time they outline chords and and chord progressions but they dont have to.
Licks are similar to drum fills as in they are short musical phrases used in passing (between vocals, part changes, empty spaces.) They can be repeated note for note but a lot of players like to improvise their licks in different sections because its fun.
Solos are long form and fit over top the songs structure. They can be any combination of rhythm and melody and can be as long or short as you want
None of these guidelines are drawn in stone. This is just how i categorize these ideas
Back when I started playing guitar, I thought,lick, and riff, was the same thing, but then I started listening to ACDC, then I was like ok Malcolm is playing the riff, Angus is playing the lick,/solo
Licks happen once or twice, riffs are repeated, and solos are when the rest of the instruments die down
Bad explonation ngl
Better one:
1. Riff, some cycled chords that making rhythm.
2. Solo, the melody that plays when the guitar is becoming lead instrument in the certain amount of time.
3. Lick, short solo, can be played when song is modulating.
Riff: repeats throughout the song
Lick: one part of a solo
Solo: a multitude of licks put together
A guitar solo is a part of a song that highlights specifically the guitar, a riff is typically a repeating phrase, and a lick is like ornamentation. The lines between the last two can be blurry though, one man's riff is another man's lick.
I think everybody knows what a solo is. The confusion seems to be between a lick and a riff, because they are so similar. And I don’t think it really matters. If you’re in a band, and you tell your band mates I’m gonna play this riff here, and it happens to be what one or more of them consider to be a lick, they’re still going to know what you’re talking about, and it’s not really going to be an issue.
I love the part where he explained the differences between the three…
I love it when ppl write original comments
I am more confused than I was before
Licks are like the phrases that make up a solo. Solos are just licks stitched together that make sense together. A solo is self explanatory. A riff is just a repeating set of notes that make up the rhythm. Can be anything.
I would describe these as - lick, solo, lick. A guitar riff drives the song, like the one in Whole Lotta Love.
No.. that’s a riff
I appreciate and understand what you mean, but I don't think this helped the non-musicians.
A riff, is a rhythmic melody. A lick is a jind fill, or flourish. A solo is when the guitar goes on a, usually improvised, tangent separate from the rest of the band. A solo still goes with the music, just to clarify.
i think you just wanted to show off you know this song🤣🤣🤣
Well, that clears it up.
Missed opportunity to play the weezer lick 😢
I'm not at all surprised that many people do not fully understand this.
This video is really bad ngl. It doesn’t explain anything that a new guitarist would want to know.
Why did it take me so long to notice the framed Fitter Happier poster in the background?
That doesn't make much sense you got a solo and a riff
only thing is this varies depending on what genre of music you listen to and which artist/band
Um, do people really not know the difference? 🙄
Lick: cool little phrase that doesn't usually come again
Riff: cool little phrase that a song is usually built on
Solo: cool big phrase that everyone is focused on
Thanks for clarifying now I can listen to music peacefully
Your Awesome..
Beautiful Gibson BTW
Have you watched
THE TRAGICALLY HIP
live at the Misty Moon
Halifax .. I'm ALMOST positive that the album UP TO HERE was recorded right off the board that night..
Miss the hammer on in the riff :) love ya!
I can understand the difference with only one video but I can't understand a maths equation even after 10 explanation from the teacher😅
-A riff IS the actual song, it’s played continuously, like how come as you are is 0 1 2 yata yata. It’s the background, the baseline.
-a solo isn’t the entire song, it’s basically the equivalent to a guitar singing. It’s a special part.
-a lick is just a specific technique or part that can be used in a solo, but it’s pretty short so obviously can’t be considered a solo in and of itself.
Riffs: A guitar part that repeats, is usually played in the lower register, and contains things like chords.
Solos: Idk they're solos
Licks: Short little phrases contained in a solo that don't repeat.
Guitar riffs are often used for intros or rhythms.
Guitar solos are fillers or ad-libs
Guitar licks are often favorite scales or patterns used by guitarists.
the video and comment section is hurting.
i blame the lack of music education funding.
a riff is a MOTIF or repetitive idea easily recognizable.
examples are smoke on the water's overly abused line before they get to singing the verse same goes with seven nation army or ace of spades. its not a full lyrical melody, its little noodles that is set to a rhythmic pattern.
a LICK, is just a phrase extracted from a solo or other piece of music. it's usually referenced , transposed, or just pasted onto another solo.
A Solo is self explanatory, its when a musician deviates from the rhythm section to highlight changes within a certain amount of bars in the music with melodic ideas. you can paste licks onto solos or embellish the riffs on certain tunes to make em into solos.
Gibson's always sound a little out of tune to me. They should sort that out. Prs have a similar head with slightly different tuner locations, perhaps copy that.
Why do people call "Leads" solos?
A solo is when someone plays by themselves.
A lead is what the lead guitarist plays over the chord progression.
What are guitar vamps and guitar grooves.
This cleared up absolutely nothing at all
Riff=Rhythm
Solo/Licks = Lead
Listen to THE ROCKER by THIN LIZZY. Eric Bell does it all in his solo.
Umm... Disagree, but it's cool, man
I would have played exactly the same thing three times in a row that would have been funny
I understood riffs, specifically, are one note at a time, say Satisfaction.
Jimmy Page did all three - check out "No Quarter" for an amazing solo
you look like George Washington.
Flashbacks to English class...
Anyone ever tell u that u look like serj from soad
What solo is that? I have it on the tip of my tongue and I have every note memorized but I just can't figure it out
Missed opportunity to hit us with a Weezer
Fully expected to get hit by the weezer lick at the end
I'm just going play, call it what you like
Sounds like a mandolin effect going on?
Still talking too much I see!
Still confused
Worst explanation ever 😂
I love your videos. Popcorn ceiling?
That les paul sounds like a banjo🤦🏻🤣
Use them all at once and you've got SRV ✌