Expert Article

Not Lying, Just a Girl

The Art of Riffing, A.K.A. Improv in the Wild

    

Imagine this, you're a gullible 11-year-old. I'm sitting across from you, telling stories of my life in California. Your eyes go wide as I explain how life works in the commune. We wake up every morning at sunrise, create our own sustainable clothes out of carrot threads, and eat said carrots for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. I go into detail on how creative you can get with a carrot when you eat it 3 times a day, 365 days a year. 

    

You're probably wondering how I haven't turned into a carrot, and I'm wondering how many years it will take for you to realize this is all made up. You may look back and think, what a liar! While it is all made up, I prefer to call it "practicing my craft". Welcome to the world of riffing. 

    

“Riffing” is a “rapid energetic often improvised verbal outpouring” or “a succinct witty comment” (“Riff Definition and Meaning”). Like my above (and true) example, a person usually creates wild fantasies and performs to an occasionally unknowing audience. Riffing can be done anywhere, with anyone, and it greatly benefits one’s well-being.

    

You may be shocked that lying has benefits and wondering how you can get better at it (for a good reason, I promise). These benefits are vast, and they are often discussed in improv classes. You see, riffing is all rooted in improv. These classes, mainly thought of as fun and non-practical, are great for developing your public speaking skills, creativity, and social abilities. In this blog, we’ll discuss advice for up-leveling your skills, the benefits of riffing, and practical ways people improvise in daily life.

 

 

Getting Better at Lying Riffing

    

If you’ve never taken an improv class before, you may be confused by the words Zip Zap Zop. No need to be fearful, I was once right there with you. Zip Zap Zop is exactly what it sounds like, a mindless game where you pass imaginary energy around a circle, repeating the words “Zip. Zap. Zop”. In games like this, it is important to know the main rules of improv:

 

1. Go with the flow - Like in Zip Zap Zop, it is important to be mindless, but decisive, when making a choice. If you say something wild, roll with it and see where it takes you! Removing the filter from your thoughts might lead to mistakes, but it also allows for the opportunity to create and discover. Mistakes are gifts.

 

2. Uplift your partner - When riffing with a partner, focus on making them look good! Set them up for punchlines, give them ideas to work with, and guide them through their mistakes. This will create a community and make them want to uplift you as well.

 

3. Whoever speaks first sets the scene - While playing games or riffing, you will have to adapt to what people choose to say or do. You may be thinking of one thing and must pivot to another idea. If you want to take things in a specific direction, be the first one to speak.    

 

These rules are basic but will give you a great base to venture into riffing with confidence. Along with these rules, it is important to know that we all start somewhere, and you cannot get better if you don't give it a go!

 

 

The Benefits of Riffing

 

I encourage you to try riffing, whether it's in a formal setting or at a bar. It sounds crazy, but even silly games like Zip Zap Zop can benefit you professionally and mentally.

 

A banker, Megan Bryant, discovered the benefits of improv in her work life. She found that turnover rate decreased, and productivity grew, simply because people enjoyed themselves more. This led her to create a company named after the game Zip Zap Zop. Her goal was to inspire other workplaces and show the benefits of letting loose (Langrill). 

 

Improv is also a great method to improve mental health. Studies done on both teens and adults found that improv:

 

• decreased social anxiety
• reduced depression
• muted overall anxieties
• increased self-esteem
• created fluency when expressing ideas

 

These mental benefits are useful in real-life scenarios, and they promote a healthier approach to mindfulness (Felsman).

 

 

Improv in the Wild

 

You may find yourself using your new improv skills on the job, in classes, or for your own entertainment. 

 

Improv is useful in the workplace to help facilitate connection and understanding between creatives and executors (Freitag Granholt). The use of riffing is a great way to present ideas and successfully work with different-minded individuals. As we know, you must be able to adapt to anything. 

 

Companies and individuals that focus on human interaction often have a greater customer service rating. For example, the Ritz emphasizes customer service and has employees dealing with customers face-to-face. This brand is well known around the world and highly regarded as a hotel service industry leader. Comparing the Ritz's ratings to European hotel chain Formule 1's, which has little to no employee-customer interaction, is a complete embarrassment for Formule 1 (Robson). Improv and adaptability can be seen in these customer interactions, and they are emphasized by the successful businesses. 

 

Improv classes all available all over, but riffing can be done anywhere. My final advice is, if you ever find yourself speaking to an 11-year-old, take advantage of the chance to test out your skills!

 

Who knows, maybe you'll even start a career in riffing (or simply become a really good liar)!

 

 

Works Cited

 

Felsman, Peter, et al. “Improv Experience Promotes Divergent Thinking, Uncertainty Tolerance, and Affective Well-Being.” Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 35, 2020, pp. 100632-, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100632.

 

Freitag Granholt, Marius, and Malte Martensen. “Facilitate Design through Improv: The Qualified Eclectic.” Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 40, 2021, pp. 100785-, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2020.100785.

 

Langrill, Chris. "Megan Bryant, Creator & Director, Idaho Laugh Fest; Co-Founder & Trainer, Zip Zap Zop." The Idaho Business Review, 2018. ProQuest, http://libproxy.usc.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/trade-journals/megan-bryant-creator-amp-director-idaho-laugh/docview/2002897832/se-2.

 

“Riff Definition & Meaning.” Merriam-Webster, Merriam-Webster, www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/riff. Accessed 24 Sept. 2024. 

 

Robson, Karen, et al. “‘Yes, and. . .’: What Improv Theater Can Teach Service Firms.” Business Horizons, vol. 58, no. 4, 2015, pp. 357–62, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2015.02.002.