In guitar playing, what is a "riff"?

Question

I'm a self taught guitarist, and I'm actually pretty good, but some of the symbols and words, I don't understand. So could anyone tell me what a riff is?

Answer 1

A riff comes from jazz and is usually an improvised piece of music... the term has been used across may different types of music... a riff can be a signature that opens a song, like an intro. If a killer riff is repeated throughout a track it is often referred to as a "hook" Think of a great rock song, one that you know when you hear it three cords in... that is a riff.

Answer 2

a 'riff' is a generic term for a short piece of melody or series of notes.