ostinatoer

Ostinatoer are musical figures that recur persistently across a section or an entire work, providing a structural backbone for harmony, rhythm, or melody. The term stems from the Italian ostinato, meaning obstinate or stubborn, and ostinatoer is the plural form used in Norwegian and in some English-language contexts.

Ostinato can be melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic. A basso ostinato, or ground bass, is a repeating bass pattern that underpins the harmony and often supports a variety of melodies above it; a classic example is the repeating bass line in Pachelbel’s Canon in D. Melodic ostinato refers to a short figure that is repeated in one or more voices, while rhythmic ostinato consists of a repeating beat or drum groove.

Usage and function: In Western classical music, ostinati provide unity and drive, appearing in forms such as passacaglias and chaconnes. In popular and contemporary genres, riffs, grooves, or repeated vocal lines often function as ostinati, giving a track its recognizable hook. In many world musics, repeating cycles or drones serve a similar stabilizing role and contribute to groove and texture.

Variations and evolution: Composers may alter harmony, tempo, or texture against the ostinato, creating contrast while preserving continuity. In minimalist and groove-based traditions, ostinati are central to the music’s character, sometimes evolving through phase shifts or gradual changes over time.