What exactly defines them, Is it the same pattern that just keeps repeating itself? Im a bit unclear.

Originally posted by Ed Fuqua
ie the chord changes to one up a minor third and you play the same thing you did under the previous chord only up a minor third.

Isn't that a pattern, Ed?

Yes you do, sonny, yes you do! You'll like it, and you'll teach yourself about it!


:D

Oxford Dictionary of Music :

(It.) Obstinate persistent. A persistent musical phrase or rhythm. A basso ostinato is a figure in the bass which is persistently repeated.

My ol' college prof used Chicago's "25 Or 6 To 4" as an ostinato example-
l1&2&3___l1&2&3___l1&2&3___l(1&2&3&4&l)

lAAAAA___lGGGGG___lGbGbGbGbGb___l(FFFFEEEEl)


I like Ed's "same notes under a changing harmony" thingee, too.
Play a groove hard & consisent...let the guitarist go off wherever he hears fit(e.g. Check out Steve Khan's Eyewitness band w/ Anthony Jackson).

thanks guys.

much appriciated.

One beautiful example is from Herbie Hancock's 'Mwandishi' album. 'Ostinato: Suite for Angela' has Buster Williams on bass and Benny Maupin on bass clarinet laying out the figure. Thick.