Musical phrase

Musical phrase is a particular part of a solo. A phrase conveys the idea of a beginning and an end, having some sense or meaning, as occurs in a language.

A solo written in sheet music or tablatures can have many phrases divided by bars. There is no rule regarding the length of a musical phrase; this term is used in the same way as the riff (without specific criteria).

What is the difference between musical phrase and riff?

The difference is that the phrase is a term more used in the context of solos, while the definition of riff is more comprehensive and makes more sense for repetitive parts.

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