Genres & Scales

Riff's generator uses genre presets and scale selections together to shape the character of your solo. The genre controls phrasing, rhythm, and note density while the scale determines which pitches are available.

Genre Presets

Each genre preset adjusts multiple parameters behind the scenes — swing feel, note density, breathing space between phrases, and which intervals the generator favors.

Blues

Slow, soulful phrasing with a heavy shuffle feel. The generator favors blue notes (flat 3rd, flat 5th, flat 7th) and uses chromatic approach notes for expressive bends and slides. Lots of space between phrases.

Rock

Driving, pentatonic-based lines with strong root emphasis. Moderate note density with straight timing. The generator gravitates toward power-chord intervals and resolves phrases aggressively.

Jazz

Sophisticated, chord-tone-focused lines with chromatic passing tones. Higher note density than blues but with a relaxed swing feel. The generator uses extensions (9ths, 11ths, 13ths) and smooth voice leading.

Metal

Fast, aggressive runs with very high note density and no swing. Strong root and tritone emphasis. Short breathing spaces between phrases create relentless intensity.

Country

Clean, melodic lines that favor open strings and diatonic intervals. Moderate density with a gentle swing. The generator emphasizes stepwise motion and triadic shapes — think chicken-picking and pedal-steel-inspired bends.

Funk

Rhythmic, groove-oriented lines with a focus on the root and pentatonic intervals. Medium-high density with a slight swing. Syncopated rhythmic patterns and chromatic neighbor tones.

Scales

Scales determine the pool of notes the generator draws from. Each scale has a different set of intervals that give it a distinct sound.

Free Tier Scales

| Scale | Intervals | Character | |-------|-----------|-----------| | Major | 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 | Bright, happy, resolved | | Minor | 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 | Dark, sad, emotional |

Pro Scales

| Scale | Intervals | Character | |-------|-----------|-----------| | Dorian | 1 2 b3 4 5 6 b7 | Minor with a bright 6th — jazz, funk, Santana | | Mixolydian | 1 2 3 4 5 6 b7 | Major with a bluesy b7 — rock, blues, country | | Phrygian | 1 b2 b3 4 5 b6 b7 | Spanish, flamenco, metal | | Lydian | 1 2 3 #4 5 6 7 | Dreamy, floating, film scores | | Harmonic Minor | 1 2 b3 4 5 b6 7 | Classical, neoclassical metal, Middle Eastern | | Pentatonic Major | 1 2 3 5 6 | Simple, open, country and pop | | Pentatonic Minor | 1 b3 4 5 b7 | The quintessential rock/blues scale | | Blues | 1 b3 4 b5 5 b7 | Pentatonic minor + the blue note (b5) |

Combining Genre + Scale

The genre and scale work independently — you can pair any genre with any scale. Some combinations are classic:

  • Blues + Blues scale — Authentic blues soloing
  • Rock + Pentatonic Minor — Classic rock lead guitar
  • Jazz + Dorian — Smooth jazz improvisation
  • Metal + Phrygian — Aggressive neoclassical metal
  • Country + Mixolydian — Twangy country leads
  • Funk + Dorian — Groovy funk guitar

But experiment freely. Metal + Lydian or Jazz + Blues scale can produce unexpected and interesting results.