रियाज शब्दाच्या काही नामवंतांनी केलेल्या व्याख्या आणि त्यांनी मांडलेले विचार -

१) पं. दिनकर कैकिणी :- Riyaz is a process through which one goes on polishing the knowledge acquired through training (Taalim), so that it is permanently ingrained in one's memory. Riyaz allows one to digest the knowledge given by Guru. The process of Riyaz is completed only when one is able to derive satisfaction of assimilating the knowledge imparted by Guru.

२) पं. शिवकुमार शर्मा :- Riyaz is mainly aimed at achieving certain level of technical control over the instrument and developing the speed of execution. However, there has to be aesthetical beauty as well. One has to be able to enjoy the process of Riyaz so that it can be continued even when one feels tired.

३) उस्ताद झाकिर हुसेन :- In north Indian music, our techniques are different and even if they aren't, we tend to present the material that we have learnt or repertoire that we have accumulated in a way that fits to our ego or in a way we feel it is most comfortable to us. Therefore, over the years the compositions, the repertoire, the patterns, etc. have changed and with a result the techniques of Riyaz differs from one individual to another.

४) पं. सुरेश तळवलकर :- संगीत ही तेजोमय साधना आहे. या संगीत क्रियेची पातळी केवळ माहिती व समज यापुरती मर्यादित नसून त्याला उजाळा व झळाळी देण्यावर असते. पुनः पुन्हा करत राहण्याच्या सांगीतिक क्रियेस 'रियाज' असे म्हणतात.

५) डॉ. अशोक रानडे :- To do Riyaz is to honestly follow a systematised and impersonalised body of psycho-physical procedures of self-study, indeed to help performers acquire skills adequate for giving acceptable and effective presentation for a notional audience.

६) डॉ. राजीव शारंगपाणी (सुप्रसिद्ध इंद्रिय विज्ञानतज्ज्ञ) :- The word Riyaz is of Arabic origin and means repeatedly doing some skilful movement with full awareness so that the same movement can be performed in a better manner.

७) डॉ. मनोज भाटवडेकर (सुप्रसिद्ध मनसोपचारतज्ज्ञ) :- It is essentially a powerful process of personal change which consists of renewal of self by exercising physical, psychological, social and spiritual dimensions of one's own nature regularly, consistently and in wise and balanced ways which ultimately leads to the greatest of all needs, "Self Actualization".