In music, an ostinato (derived from Italian: "stubborn", compare
English: obstinate) is a motif or phrase which is persistently
repeated in the same musical voice. An ostinato is always a
succession of equal sounds, wherein each note always has the
same weight or stress. The repeating idea may be a rhythmic
pattern, part of a tune, or a complete melody in itself. Both
"ostinatos" and "ostinati" are accepted English plural forms,
although the latter better reflects the word's Italian
etymology. Strictly speaking, ostinati should have exact
repetition, but in common usage, the term covers repetition with
variation and development, such as the alteration of an ostinato
line to fit changing harmonies or keys. If the cadence may be
regarded as the cradle of tonality, the ostinato patterns can be
considered the playground in which it grew strong and self-
confident. Ground bass or basso ostinato (obstinate bass) is a
type of variation form in which a bassline, or harmonic pattern
(see Chaconne) is repeated as the ba