ostinato
/ˌɒstɪˈnɑːtəʊ
/noun (plural ostinatos or ostinati /ˌɒstɪˈnɑːti/)
A continually repeated musical phrase or rhythm: [as modifier]: the cellos have the tune, above an ostinato bass figure...
- He exploits rock idioms, such as rapidly repeated chords, ostinato bass lines and syncopated rhythms, but with little variation of content.
- It is to be found in the basso ostinato, a repeated bass line over which a keyboard player or lutenist improvises chords and a singer or player evolves a melody.
- The jazzy, flowing first movement made way for a stunning allegro: pizzicato ostinati, Spanish dance rhythms, dramatic passion to the fore.
Origin
Italian, literally 'obstinate'.