Let me get straight to it. Too many singers out here are doing riffs and runs without even knowing what they are doing. And baby, that confusion shows. It shows in your phrasing, in your rhythm, in your confidence. Because when you do not know what tool you are using, you cannot control the outcome. You are guessing instead of delivering. And I do not want that for you.
That is why I always make time to explain how to tell riffs from vocal runs and licks. Because once a singer understands the purpose of each, they stop fumbling and start shining. They stop copying other voices and start making their own choices. And that is when the voice becomes more than sound. It becomes expression.
Why This Difference Matters
I hear it all the time. โWhat even is a riff? Is a run just a longer riff? What about a lick?โ Let me tell you, these are not just random names. These are tools. Each one brings something different to your performance. And when you understand what they do, you stop throwing everything into your singing like a bag of marbles. You start placing every sound with intention.
Think of a riff like a quick spark, a flicker of emotion. A run is like a slide down a waterfall, fast and fluid. A lick is a full phrase with a groove of its own, a little story that moves with rhythm and soul. See the difference? One sharp, one smooth, one groovy.
Why Guessing Hurts Your Growth
If you are still guessing, you are limiting your vocal growth. I see singers with beautiful tone and raw talent struggle because they are not aware of what they are doing. They sing too many notes in the wrong spot. They riff when they should run. They throw in a lick that does not match the mood. And then they wonder why their performance feels messy or why the audience is not connecting.
It is not about showing off. It is about communication. And the moment you know which vocal tool you are using and why, everything shifts. You begin to shape your sound with purpose.
One Common Question
Do I need to master all three to be a good singer?
No. But understanding when and how to use riffs, runs, and licks helps you develop intentionality and vocal control, which every great singer needs.
The Sound of Intention
Let me tell you what intentional singing sounds like. It sounds clean. It sounds confident. Even when a note bends or a phrase jumps, it feels grounded. Because the singer is in control. They are not guessing. They are leading the moment.
When you riff without understanding, it sounds like rambling. When you run without control, it sounds like slipping. When you throw in a lick out of place, it sounds like noise. But when you know what you are doing, people feel it. And that is the whole point. We are not singing to impress. We are singing to move people.
Training Makes the Difference
You cannot learn the difference between these three just by listening. You have to train your voice to do them. To feel them. And that means breaking them down, repeating them slowly, and learning how they live in your body.
A riff might live in your cheeks and jaw, with quick changes. A run travels through breath and vowels. A lick has shape, rhythm, and swing that moves from your chest to your head voice and back again.
And honey, you have to practice them not just for sound, but for meaning. Every note must belong.
Feel It Before You Sing It
That is my rule. Feel it first. Then sing it. If you do not feel it, it will never land right. That is why I always bring my singers back to the heart. What are you trying to say with that riff? What emotion is behind that run? What makes that lick groove the way it does?
Your voice follows your feeling. So the more connected you are to the message, the more accurate your phrasing will be.
This is Not About Perfection
I am not here to tell you to perfect every vocal flip or nail every scale. This is not about being flawless. This is about awareness. Because awareness gives you freedom. When you understand your voice and the tools inside it, you do not second guess yourself. You know what to use, when to use it, and how to make it yours.
Final Thought
Singing is not a guessing game. It is a conversation. And in every good conversation, you choose your words with care. That is what riffs, runs, and licks are. They are your vocal vocabulary. Learn them. Feel them. Use them with intention. And your voice will speak volumes. Every time.