What is the term for a musical expression repeated several times?

• A. Ostinato
• B. Riff
• C. Cadence
• D. Bridge

Answer: (A)

An ostinato is a musical figure—whether melodic, rhythmic, or both—that repeats with persistence throughout a section or an entire piece. This repeating pattern acts as a foundation that other parts can move around, creating a sense of stability and momentum. It can be a bass line, a drum groove, or a short melodic motif that stays the same while harmony or melodies above it change.

For example, a repeating bass line in many classical and popular works serves as the ostinato, providing continuity as melodies weave over it. This is different from a cadence, which is about ending a phrase with a sense of closure, or a bridge, which is a contrasting section. A riff is a short, memorable phrase that can be repeated, especially in popular music, but the formal idea of a repeated, unchanging pattern that underpins a larger structure is best captured by ostinato.

So, the musical expression repeated several times is an ostinato.