Ostinato (or the plural, ostinati) is one of those musical terms you may have read about or hear mentioned from a teacher or composer but you may know know exactly what it means. It is highly likely that you’ve been listening to music and heard one and may not even known it.
This is because an ostinato is the perfect way to seed an idea into a piece of music. Think of “Dual of Fates” from Star Wars: Episode I…the battle with Darth Maul. An epic piece of music composed by John Williams that has, not only, a memorable theme but also that pulsing, rhythmic pattern…that’s an ostinato.
An ostinato is a phrase or motif that is repeated throughout a composition and can be melodic, rhythmic, or both. Melodic ostinati are often based on Scale degrees (Beethoven’s 5th) while rhythmic ostinati are based on a rhythmic figure (“Dies Irae” motif in Verdi’s Requiem).
But things do get a little more complicated…or at least fuzzy when trying to define an ostinato. In this article I want to break down some of the various types of ostinato and also cover adjacent topics such as riff’s, loops, and motifs.
What Is An Ostinato For?
An ostinato is a musical phrase that is repeated throughout a piece of music to help create a groove or rhythm. It may be used as the foundation for an entire composition, as well as a counter melody or accompaniment. Ostinati are present in many popular songs and classical compositions.
Ostinati can be used to create tension, forward motion, and energy in a piece of music. They are often used in film and television scores to create a sense of urgency or drama. Ostinati can also be used to create a feeling of stasis or repetition, as in minimalist music. Some well-known examples of ostinati include:
- The main melody in Queen’s “We Will Rock You”
- The chord progression in The Beatles’ “Day Tripper”
- The four-note motif in Beethoven’s 5th Symphony
- The main melody in Verdi’s Requiem
- The pulsing rhythm in Holsts “Mars, Bringer of War”
As you can see, ostinati can be found in all genres of music and have been used by some of the most famous composers and bands in history.
Does Non-Western Music Use Ostinato?
Ostinati are found in music from all over the world. In fact, they are an important part of many non-Western musical traditions. Ostinati are often used in traditional African music and Indian classical music.
The Japanese traditional court music, Gagaku, was typically accompanied by a unique ostinato pattern played on the wagon, a six-stringed zither.
What Types Of Ostinato Are There?
The main types of ostinato include simple, complex, melodic, and rhythmic. However, there are some others that I want to cover…even though some of them could be considered part of one of the four main types.
Simple Ostinato:
A simple ostinato is one in which a phrase or motif is repeated over and over again in the same pitch. This can be seen in music from all over the world including traditional folk songs, Gregorian Chant, and African drumming.
Complex Ostinato:
A complex ostinato is one in which the phrase or motif is repeated but each time it is slightly different. This can be done by changing the pitch, rhythm, or both. An example of this can be found in the opening of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony where the famous four note motive is repeated but each time it starts on a different note of the scale.
Melodic Ostinato:
A melodic ostinato is one in which a phrase or motif is repeated in different pitches. This can create a sense of forward motion as the listener hears the Ostinato move up or down in pitch. A famous example of this is Beethoven 5th Symphony.
Rhythmic Ostinato:
A rhythmic ostinato is one in which a phrase or motif is repeated in the same rhythm. This rhythmic pulse gives the music a driving characteristic…almost machine like. Gustav Holst used this to great effect in “Mars: Bringer of War.”
Basso Ostinato:
It’s similar to surface bass, but instead of a single bass pattern that repeats many times, this employs a short bass pattern that is repeated numerous times. This type of ostinato can fit into the other three, but it’s a term that comes up somewhat often in music theory, so I figured I should differentiate. “Canon in D,” by Pachelbel is probably the most famous example.
What’s The Difference Between A Riff And An Ostinato?
In general, a riff is a brief hook that is intended to make an song memorable, whereas an ostinato is a more persistent form of accompaniment that lasts the entire length of the composition.
Usually, an ostinato is associated with longer form, orchestral music and riffs are typically found in pop and rock music…of course, there are always exceptions.
Is A Loop An Ostinato?
In general, a loop is shorter than an Ostinato and more closely associated with a riff or musical hook. A loop is usually created using electronic instruments and Ostinati are more often seen in acoustic music.
But, with new concepts in music…looping being a “modern” concept when speaking in music history terms…words can start to be used interchangeably and meanings can be shifted to accommodate these new concepts.
Is A Motif The Same Thing As An Ostinato?
Generally, a motif is a musical idea that is repeated throughout a piece of music. Ostinati are usually based on motifs but they can also be used to create new motifs. So, they are closely related, but an ostinato is more like a “musical sentence” made up of smaller motifs.
Think of it this way…a motif is a single word and an Ostinato is a phrase or sentence made up of multiple words.
Are Ostinati And Vamps The Same Thing?
While similar, ostinati are more persistent in a piece of music while vamps are short passages from longer works that are repeated for the purpose of extending a section of music. Vamps are generally used as “tools” in musical theater to allow for scene changes or character movement.
An ostinato will usually be played by a single instrument or section of instruments…yes, there are many exceptions…while the rest of the ensemble evolves and changes. A vamp involves the entire group of musicians repeating a short snippet of music until directed to continue.
Final Thoughts
Hopefully this break down took some of the mystery out…it can sometimes be difficult to fit modern music ideas (looping, sampling, etc.) and still have them fit perfectly into music theory definitions from hundreds of years ago. But, to recap:
An Ostinato is a persistent form of accompaniment that can be found in all types of music. It can be simple or complex and is often used to create a sense of forward motion or tension in a piece.
Riffs are brief hooks that are intended to make an song memorable, whereas loops are shorter than Ostinatos and more closely associated with riffs or musical hooks.
Motifs are musical ideas that are repeated throughout a piece of music and Ostinati are usually based on motifs but they can also be used to create new motifs.