Building texture with a rhythmic ostinato
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Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can play a rhythmic ostinato and chant at the same time.
Key learning points
- An ostinato is a short, repeating pattern in music. It can be rhythmic or melodic.
- An ostinato is memorable and can add interest to a piece of music.
- When we perform an ostinato with a chant, we create musical texture.
- Musical texture describes the different layers that are happening at the same time in a piece of music.
- Takadi is a rhythm where there are three sounds within one beat and the first two sounds are shorter than the third.
Keywords
Rhythm - the pattern of sounds that we play and sing
Ostinato - a repeating musical pattern which can be rhythmic or melodic
Texture - the combination of different layers of sounds
Beat - the playing or showing of the steady pulse, like the ticking of a clock
Stick notation - a way of writing music down
Common misconception
An ostinato is a simple way to add texture. It is not complex or exciting.
While ostinatos are repetitive, they can be quite complex and add lots of excitement to music.
Teacher tip
Before playing and chanting simultaneously, it is important that pupils have had plenty of experience playing the ostinato pattern, and can play it confidently. Start by working in two groups, one chanting and the other playing.
Equipment
Whiteboards and whiteboard pens, class set of claves.
Licence
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