Musical motifs and clichés make up the basic vocabulary of all genres of music. These common riffs and melodic patterns define what is appropriate and what is not in any given style. In every genre, there are hundreds of licks and lines that you can use. All totaled, these licks comprise each style's musical lexicon. The ones you select and emphasize — as opposed to the ones you omit — contribute to your individual voice. Additionally, your signature sound results from the unique variations or twists that you bring to the musical conversation.