An ostinato is a short musical figure that repeats. It may be a bass pattern, a few notes, or a rhythmic motif. In ostinato-based harmony, the repeating figure becomes the anchor and the chords are chosen around it.
A chord change can make the same repeated notes feel stable, suspended, or tense. This is a useful way to create movement without changing the hook itself.
Reframe a repeating note
Keep C repeating in the motif while the chords move from C to F to Am. C begins as the root, becomes the fifth of F, and then the minor third of Am.
Try it
- Write a two- or three-note motif and repeat it without changing its rhythm.
- Try two or three chords underneath it, listening for how the motif changes meaning.
- Keep the motif consistent, or alter one note at a section change to signal a new idea.
Key takeaway
Let the repeating figure provide identity and let the harmony provide context. A small motif can support several distinct emotional readings.