Encyclopedia > Ostinato

Article Content

Ostinato

Ostinato, an Italian word meaning "stubborn" (compare English obstinate), is to classical music what riffs are to popular music.

An ostinato is a bit of melody, a chord progression, or a bass figure that is repeated over and over at the same pitch. Ostinato is frequently used in Baroque music, where the basso continuo invites the use of the technique, and fixed forms such as the passacaglia and the chaconne require it. The left hand in boogie woogie piano playing is another.

Featured Article

Shinnecock Hills, New York

... from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 28 years. For every 100 females there are 82.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and ...