THE MIGHTY BLUES RIFF
The RIFF was born from the blues. In definition, the "RIFF" is the melodic component of blues rhythm guitar. . . it explores and incorporates melodies and various assorted "cool stuff" for use in the guitar part. With riffs, we learn that cool musical ideas aren't limited the strumming of chords. The riff is the backbone not only of the blues, but also all styles of rock--from The Beatles (listen to the song "Day Tripper") to Black Sabbath. Riff ideas can come from horn lines, piano comps, bass guitar lines, drum fills. . . . almost anywhere. And when it comes time for improvisation, these riffs serve as the experience the guitar draws from when creating ideas.
This process of taking the chord grip one step further by injecting riffs inside the chords is what Chuck Berry was noted for. The following progression shows how Chuck Berry made the blues applicable to a new style of music--rock and roll. This Chuck Berry "comp" is one of the most basic, but useful riffs there is.