Muscial Term

Cafe Society
1

I remember this from way back in grade school, but have forgotten the name. Here’s what I’m trying to describe.

In the song “25 or 6 to 4” by Chicago there is a bass (?) line that keeps the following beat: 12345, 12345, 12345, 1234-1234, dropping as it goes along, then repeat. This is kept up through much of the song. It’s a fairly complex, repeating, beat.

This type of musical construct has a name but for the life of me I can’t remember what it is called.

2

Ostinato

3

By Jove I think he’s got it. That appears to be the term I was looking for, thanks.

Any other good examples from popular music?

4

well…most basslines are ostinatos if you want to think of it like that… just listen out for them

i know im my marimba playing…4 mallet works alot of the times my life or right hand is playign a ostinato while the other has a melody of some sort…

hope that helps

5

Marimba players call their right hand their “life” hand?