Riffs
Riffs are sequences of notes from a scale, they form the 'phrases' of solos. Played quickly and smoothly they can be very effective when soloing.
Here is a simple riff:
The blue dot shows the finger that is pressing the string down - the other finger is 'hovering' above the strings. The pattern is repeated from the start.
Using the little finger can help to speed up this riff:
Listen to this riff in a phrase on guitar