Alright guys it’s time for another twitter rant! Today’s topic: Riffing vs Ornamentation: Is it racist?

I have seen some dumb tweets going around that essentially say “If you think riffing in pop/R&B is trashy but like ornamentation in Baroque music then I’ve got some bad news for you”

Now listen. I really do think that riffing in popular music can be and sometimes is way overused. Like when I can’t even discern the melody of The Star Spangled Banner or whatever is being sung, yeah I tend to hate it.

But what it boils down to for me isn’t where the riffing tradition comes from, it’s what it’s supposed to do. Historically, riffing/ornamenting is designed to show off the technical skill of the performer. It is a well worn tradition starting (I think) from the Baroque

And there’s no issue with showing off your skill, truly. But my issue is what’s at the heart of it. There’s a still a song there, there’s still a message and motive that is at the core of the performance.

So if you start to make your riffs/ornaments the center of attention rather than the heart of the piece, you’ve become selfish and disgenuine. You’ve made the music about you rather than about the message.

What I hear when I hear excessive riffing is “look at me, look how talented and perfect I am.” Rather than “look at what is in my soul”, “hear what I have to say”, or “understand what this person is conveying.”

A riff is great when used properly. An ornamentation decorates the music when used properly. The issue isn’t riffing in general, it’s the overuse.

If you like overused riffs, that’s your thing and I encourage you to run with it. But I won’t be labeled as an oppressor because I don’t prefer overused riffs and ornamentation.

I would be just as upset with an overdone black riffer as I would with an overdone white operatic ornamenter. They are one in the same.