What is an Ostinato?
An ostinato is a musical phrase or rhythm that is persistently repeated in the same musical voice, often in the background of a piece. It can be melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic.
Examples:
• Melodic Ostinato: A short melodic phrase repeated over and over, like the bass line in Pachelbel’s Canon in D.
• Rhythmic Ostinato: A repeated drum rhythm, often found in African, Latin, or minimalist music.
• Famous Use: The repeating pattern in Ravel’s Boléro is a famous orchestral example of ostinato.
Canon in D is one of the most famous and recognizable examples of a ground bass ostinato in Western classical music.
What is the Ostinato in Canon in D?
At the core of Canon in D is a repeating bass line, also called a ground bass or basso ostinato. This pattern repeats continuously throughout the entire piece while the upper voices (violins, etc.) create variations and melodic interplay above it.
The Ostinato Pattern
The chord progression that defines the ostinato is:
D – A – Bm – F#m – G – D – G – A
This progression:
• Is in D major.
• Repeats throughout the entire piece without change.
• Forms the foundation over which the canon (a type of round or imitation) unfolds.
In bass note terms, the repeating sequence is:
D – A – B – F# – G – D – G – A
These eight notes form a loop that drives the piece rhythmically and harmonically, anchoring it while the upper voices interact in increasingly complex ways.
Why Is This Ostinato So Effective?
• Predictability: It creates a sense of stability and order.
• Contrast: The variation in the upper voices stands out against the unchanging backdrop.
• Emotion: The harmonic movement has a natural emotional arc — from major chords to minor ones and back.
Even though it was written around 1680, Canon in D became widely popular in the 1970s and is now a staple at weddings and graduations — and its chord progression has influenced countless pop songs.
I’ve done a version of this song in F major called Ode to a Composer.
Listen on Spotify HERE
Pandora Radio HERE
Apple Music HERE
Amazon Music HERE
Want to learn how to play on your keyboard or piano? Sheet Music available HERE
