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I understand that there is a difference between the two, but I'm still confused. Are the terms "ostinato" and "motif" interchangeable?

user87626
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    An ostinato repeats multiple times *without interruption*. A motif can appear basically at any time in any place. – Kilian Foth Jul 12 '22 at 10:34
  • Also: "ostinato" has a fairly narrow and concrete definition. "Motif" has a fairly fuzzy and vague one, meaning little more than "a recognizable unit." You could use "motif" in talking about visual art to mean a certain visual element, but you couldn't use "ostinato" except as a metaphor referring to the musical meaning. – Andy Bonner Jul 12 '22 at 22:18

2 Answers2

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No. An ostinato is a sustained pattern, lasting many bars. A motif is a particular 'musical idea', that may itself last several bars, which keeps re-occurring during a piece.

An ostinato is particularly a rhythmic pattern that is repeated bar after bar, or in two or four bar sequences. A motif will pop up from time to time to remind us of itself.

Tim
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    I think it would be good of you could make the difference between "sustained pattern" and "keeps re-occuring" more precise. (I have no idea what you mean) – Emil Jul 12 '22 at 07:02
  • Also, an obstinato brings along the idea that it repeats identically. But a motif (also called a motive) is often developed and lengthened into a more substantial theme later – nuggethead Jul 12 '22 at 15:23
  • Examples: Beethoven's 5th: motif. Ravel's Bolero: ostinato. – Andy Bonner Jul 12 '22 at 22:20
  • @Andy that's Beethovens favorite fruit. "Banananaaaa" – nuggethead Jul 12 '22 at 22:50
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    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MmzER7X2424 my personal favorite ostinato. – Captain Giraffe Jul 12 '22 at 22:58
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    @nuggethead - *obstinato* is maybe a better name! – Tim Jul 13 '22 at 06:52
  • Hi! @nuggethead, even you can find _obstinato_ in a few resources, the right term is ___ostinato___, as it comes directly from the italian word, which does not have any 'b' character. Please check https://www.treccani.it/enciclopedia/ostinato as an example (from Enciclopedia Italiana di Scienze, Lettere e Arti) – Dave Miller Jul 13 '22 at 07:21
  • Twas a typo. I cant seem to edit the comment to fix it – nuggethead Jul 13 '22 at 09:41
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    @nuggethead - seems comments can't be edited after 5 mins. So either scrap that one and write another, or leave it. I quite like it, thought it was quite clever! Somewhat apposite. – Tim Jul 13 '22 at 09:54
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No. They serve very different purposes.

A motif starting on a different note of the scale or in a different mode is still the same motif. Motives are defined by their melodic contour.

An ostinato repeats without variation, even when it clashes with the underlying harmony.

the-baby-is-you
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