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ostinato

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os·ti·na·to  (st-nät)
n. pl. os·ti·na·tos
A short melody or pattern that is constantly repeated, usually in the same part at the same pitch.
[Italian, from Latin obstintus, stubborn, past participle of obstinre, to persist; see obstinate.]
ostinato [ˌɒstɪˈnɑːtəʊ]
n
(Music / Classical Music)
a.  a continuously reiterated musical phrase
b.  (as modifier) an ostinato passage
[Italian: from Latin obstinātus obstinate]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.ostinato - a musical phrase repeated over and over during a composition
ground bass - a short melody in the bass that is constantly repeated
musical phrase, phrase - a short musical passage
riff - a jazz ostinato; usually provides a background for a solo improvisation
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This is not a minimalist work--the use of ostinato is as unmannered as in neo-classical Stravinsky.
English National Opera by Hunt, Brian / Opera Canada
Taro created an exciting piece of music, also in D minor, with a basso ostinato in broken octaves.
A journey into composition by Olson, Anne Marie / American Music Teacher
Then a brittle pizzicato passage turns into an ostinato that introduces a moody and bluesy alto sax passage.
Jazz review: Trevor Watts / Peter Knight, Reunion by guardian.co.uk / guardian.co.uk
 
 
 
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