ostinato
1
8.6
- noun
- /ˌɑːstɪˈnɑːtoʊ/
- Specialized
- The song featured a catchy ostinato that repeated throughout, making it memorable.
- ostinato pattern
- rhythmic ostinato
- melodic ostinato
Loading YouTube…
Watch on YouTubeOK Poly chords are also really good to use for rhythmic stabs or to create certain types of ostinato rhythms.
- OK Poly chords are also really good to use for rhythmic stabs or to create certain types of ostinato rhythms.
- The whole bass part is this Austin Ostinato.
Examples
-
The piece began with two members playing ostinato patterns: one playing pizzicato while the other played the bolero rhythm.
Academic text (2015) -
Choose a small group of students to maintain the ostinato pattern while others experiment with variations.
Academic text (2009) -
And then we get that little bit of new material, but always over the sort of ostinato, a double prime.
-
Three members entered one at a time with an ostinato pattern.
Academic text (2015) -
Then, switch groups so that there are two groups playing the ostinato pattern while one group is improvising.
Academic text (2001) -
Then, the student can be led to create simple ostinato patterns to accompany such melodies.
Academic text (2012) -
Stephen suggests that they play the maracas in an eighth-note ostinato throughout the piece.
Academic text (2012) -
The opening of the piece featured pizzicato ostinato patterns with staggered entrances.
Academic text (2015) -
As a follow-up, establish an eight-beat ostinato with body percussion, and use this instead of counting.
Academic text (1996) -
Kindergarten and first-grade children can easily learn to transfer simple ostinatos and bourdons from xylophones to keyboards.
Academic text (1993)
Synonyms
4
6.7
A short musical idea that repeats and is changed in a piece
1
9.9
A short tune that comes back in music to represent a person or idea
How Repetitive
Surface Forms
Etymology
The word ostinato comes from the Italian verb ostinare and Latin words meaning 'to persist' or 'be stubborn', and it shares a root with the English word obstinate. So an ostinato is a short musical pattern that keeps coming back, like a musical idea that refuses to change.