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<H1><A NAME="SECTION00700000000000000000"></A> <A NAME="sec-riff"></A>
<BR>
Riffs
</H1>
<P>
In previous chapters you were shown how to create a P<SMALL>ATTERN</SMALL>
which becomes a part of a S<SMALL>EQUENCE</SMALL>. And how to set a musical
style by defining a G<SMALL>ROOVE</SMALL>.
<P>
These predefined G<SMALL>ROOVE</SMALL>s are wonderful things. And, yes, entire
accompaniment tracks can be created with just some chords and a single
G<SMALL>ROOVE</SMALL>. But, often a bit of variety in the track is needed.
<P>
The R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> command permits the setting of an alternate pattern
for any track for a single bar-this overrides the current
S<SMALL>EQUENCE</SMALL> for that track.
<P>
The syntax for R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> is very similar to that of D<SMALL>EFINE</SMALL>,
with the exception that no pattern name is used. You might think of
R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> as the setting of an S<SMALL>EQUENCE</SMALL> with an anonymous
pattern.
<P>
A R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> is set with the command:
<P>
<Table Hspace="40%" CellSpacing=0 CellPadding=10 BGColor="OldLace" Border=3>
<tr><td>
<B>Track Riff Pattern </B>
</td></tr>
</Table>
<P>
where:
<P>
<DL>
<DT><STRONG>Track</STRONG></DT>
<DD>is any valid
<FONT Face="Serif" Color="Navy"><I>MMA</I></FONT> track name,
<P>
</DD>
<DT><STRONG>Pattern</STRONG></DT>
<DD>is any existing pattern name defined for the specified
track, or a pattern definition following the same syntax as a
D<SMALL>EFINE</SMALL>. In addition the pattern can be a single ``z'',
indicating no pattern for the specified track.
<P>
</DD>
</DL>
<P>
Following is a short example using R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> to change the Chord Pattern:
<P>
<Table Hspace="40%" CellSpacing=0 CellPadding=10 BGColor="OldLace" Border=3>
<tr><td>
<B>Groove Rhumba
<BR>
1 Fm7
<BR>
2 Bb7
<BR>
3 EbM7
<BR>
Chord Riff 1 4 100; 3 8 90; 3.666 8 80; 4.333 8 70
<BR>
4 Eb6 / Eb
<BR>
5 Fm7 </B>
</td></tr>
</Table>
<P>
In this case there is a Rhumba Groove for the song; however, in bar 4
the melodic pattern is emphasized by chording a quarter-note triplet
over beats 3 and 4. In this case the pattern has been defined right in
the R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> command.
<P>
The next example shows that R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> patterns can be defined just
like the patterns used in a sequence.
<P>
<Table Hspace="40%" CellSpacing=0 CellPadding=10 BGColor="OldLace" Border=3>
<tr><td>
<B>Drum Define Emph8 1 0 128 * 8
<BR>
Groove Blues
<BR>
1 C
<BR>
2 G
<BR>
Drum-Clap Riff Emph8
<BR>
3 G
<BR>
4 F
<BR>
Drum-Clap Riff Emph8
<BR>
5 C </B>
</td></tr>
</Table>
<P>
Here the <I>Emph8</I> pattern is defined as a series of eighth notes.
This is applied for the third and fifth bars. If you compile and play this example
you will hear a sporadic hand-clap on bar 3. The <I>Drum-Clap</I>
track was previously defined in the Blues G<SMALL>ROOVE</SMALL> as random
claps on beats 2 and 4--our R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> changes this to a louder
volume with multiple hits.
<P>
The special pattern ``z'' can be used to turn off a track for a single
bar. This is similar to using a ``z'' in the S<SMALL>EQUENCE</SMALL>
directive.
<P>
A few things to keep in mind when using R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL>s:
<P>
<UL>
<LI>Each R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> is in effect for only one bar (see the
discussion below about multiple R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL>s.
<P>
</LI>
<LI>R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> sequences are always enabled. Even if there is no
sequence for a track, or if the ``z'' sequence is being used, the
pattern specified in R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> will apply.
<P>
</LI>
<LI>The existing voicing, articulation, etc. for the track will
apply to the R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL>.
<P>
</LI>
<LI>It's quite possible to use a macro for repeated R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL>s.
The following example uses a macro which
sets the V<SMALL>OLUME</SMALL>, A<SMALL>RTICULATE</SMALL>, etc. as well as the
pattern. Note how the pattern is initially set as single whole note,
but, redefined in the R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> as a run controlled by another
macro. In bar 2 an eight note run is played and in bar 5 this is
changed to a run of triplets.
<P>
<Table Hspace="40%" CellSpacing=0 CellPadding=10 BGColor="OldLace" Border=3>
<tr><td>
<B>Mset CRiff
<BR> Begin Scale
<BR> Define Run 1 1 120
<BR> Riff Run * $SSpeed
<BR> Voice AltoSax
<BR> Volume f
<BR> Articulate 80
<BR> Rskip 5
<BR> End
<BR>
MsetEnd
<BR>
Groove Blues
<BR>
1 C
<BR>
Set SSpeed 8
<BR> $CRiff
<BR>
2 G
<BR>
3 G
<BR>
Set SSpeed 12
<BR> $CRIFF
<BR>
5 C </B>
</td></tr>
</Table>
<P>
</LI>
<LI>A R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> can only be deleted by using it (i.e., a music bar
follows the setting), with a S<SMALL>EQ</SMALL>C<SMALL>LEAR</SMALL> or by a track D<SMALL>ELETE</SMALL>.
<P>
</LI>
</UL>
<P>
R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL>s can also be used to specify a bar of music in a
S<SMALL>OLO</SMALL> or M<SMALL>ELODY</SMALL> track. Please see <A HREF="node10.html#chap-solo">Solo and
Melody</A>.
<P>
The above examples show how to apply a temporary pattern to a single
bar--the bar which follows the R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> command. But, you can
``stack''<A NAME="tex2html35"
HREF="#foot2960"><SUP>7.1</SUP></A> a number of patterns to be processed sequentially. Each
successive R<SMALL>IFF</SMALL> command adds a pattern to the stack; these
patterns are then ``pulled'' from the stack as successive chord lines
are processed.
<P>
Recycling an earlier example, lets assume that you want to use a
customized pattern for bars 4 and 5 in a mythical song:
<P>
<Table Hspace="40%" CellSpacing=0 CellPadding=10 BGColor="OldLace" Border=3>
<tr><td>
<B>Groove Rhumba
<BR>
1 Fm7
<BR>
2 Bb7
<BR>
3 EbM7
<BR>
Chord Riff 1 4 100; 3 8 90; 3.666 8 80; 4.333 8 70
<BR>
Chord Riff 1 2 100; 3 8 90;
<BR>
4 Eb6 / Eb
<BR>
5 Fm7 </B>
</td></tr>
</Table>
<P>
In this example the first <I>Chord Riff</I> will be used in bar 4; the
second in bar 5. For an example of this see the sample file
<TT><B>egs/riffs.mma</B></TT>.
<P>
I often use this feature when creating a S<SMALL>OLO</SMALL> line.
<BR><HR><H4>Footnotes</H4>
<DL>
<DT><A NAME="foot2960">...
``stack''</A><A
HREF="node7.html#tex2html35"><SUP>7.1</SUP></A></DT>
<DD>Actually a queue or FIFO (First In, First Out)
buffer.
</DD>
</DL><HR>
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<ADDRESS>
bob
2007-03-07
</ADDRESS>
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