What is an ostinato in music?

Q: What is an ostinato in music?


A: An ostinato in music is a short pattern of notes that is repeated several times throughout a song or piece of music.

Q: Where does the word "ostinato" come from?


A: The word "ostinato" is related to the word obstinate.

Q: Can an ostinato last for the whole piece of music?


A: Yes, an ostinato can last for a section of a piece or it might last for the whole piece of music.

Q: What is a ground bass or basso ostinato?


A: A ground bass, or basso ostinato, is an ostinato pattern in the lowest notes, which keeps playing while the melodies in the higher notes change, often used in baroque musical works.

Q: Give an example of a piece of music that uses a ground bass.
A: An example of a piece of music that uses a ground bass is Canon in D by Pachelbel.

Q: What is a rhythmic ostinato?


A: A rhythmic ostinato is just a repeated rhythm.

Q: Give an example of a piece of popular music that uses an ostinato.
A: An example of a piece of popular music that uses an ostinato is Pink Floyd's "Money".

AlegsaOnline.com - 2020 / 2023 - License CC3