Ostinato is a great tool to have in your music teacher bag of tricks. Performing ostinato can help build the independence young musicians need to begin singing in parts or playing in an ensemble. This independence is crucial to successful participation in musical ensembles like bands and choirs. Percussive ostinato help to isolate rhythmic independencen while vocal ostinato help solidify independence with vocal as well.

What is ostinato?
The word ostinato may sound fancy but it is a very simple concept. Ostinato are short, repeated patterns in music. Ever clap on every other beat (two and four of course!) while listening to a song on the radio? That’s an ostinato. Ever called out “Left. Left. Left. Right. Left.” while you were hiking through the woods? That’s an ostinato too! You’re probably an ostinoto pro already! In addition to using body percussion to create these repeated patters, you can sing ostinato patterns or play instruments.

Make an Ostinato Rainstorm
As an extension activity, after reading Nighttime Symphony by Timberland, you can use rhythmic ostinato patterns to make a body percussion rainstorm. Think of some sounds that you can make that simulate rain sounds. We have a few on our list that might give you some ideas:

• Rub your hands together.

• Pat your knees

• Clap your hands.

• Blow air to make a wind sound

Each person should choose how they want to create a rain sound and compose a simple ostinato pattern. You can use any combination of rhythms you like-the only rule is that you MUST keep a steady beat!

Here’s an example of how many different sounds can be put together.

Try this and make your rainstorm as unprediciable as Texas weather in the spring!

• Speed up and slow down the steady beat to simulate a heavy or light rain.

• Record your rainstorm, then make up a completely new set of ostinato patterns to perform along with the first recording.

So how did your storm turn out? Does your body percussion rainstorm sound like it could be the lullaby from Nighttime Symphony? We’d love to see and hear your Rainstorm Ostinato! Email your video to shanan@musiclibrarybox.com for a chance to be featured on our instagram page or tag us in your videos @musiclibrarybox on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok!