ostinata

An ostinato is a motif or phrase that persistently repeats in the same musical voice, often with little or no variation, while the surrounding music changes. The term derives from Italian ostinato, meaning obstinate or stubborn, and is used to describe a repeating figure that anchors a section or entire work.

Ostinatos are categorized by the aspect they repeat: rhythmic ostinatos repeat a fixed rhythm or percussion figure; melodic ostinatos repeat a short melodic fragment; and harmonic or bass ostinatos (also called ground bass) repeat a bass line or chord progression that underpins other voices.

Historically, ostinato has roots in Renaissance and Baroque music, particularly in the practice of basso ostinato or ground bass. The technique was widely used in 17th- and 18th-century works by composers such as Purcell, Corelli, and Pachelbel; the Canon in D is a well-known example of a bass ostinato underpinning variations.

In modern music, ostinati appear in many genres. Minimalist composers like Philip Glass and Steve Reich build textures from repeating patterns, while in pop, rock, and film music riffs or drum patterns often function as ostinati. Ostinato patterns are also common in various world music traditions, where cyclic repetition creates propulsive grooves.