Repeated patterns are everywhere!

The fabric of music contains many kinds of patterns.
In many pieces, the composer lays the foundation by introducing a short pattern, called ostinato, that is repeated continually throughout the work.

A famous example for such technique is the opening bass line in Canon by Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706). The eight opening notes are repeated over and over, and more and more melodies are added. Enjoy a unique performance of this Canon featured in our post: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The ostinato technique was widely used by many other Baroque era composers. Here’s Passacaglia by George Frideric Handel (1685-1759):

Composers of later periods used repeated bass lines too. Close your eyes and relax with Frédéric Chopin’s Berceuse (Lullaby) composed in 1844:

Repetitions create a meditative effect. Sink into your inner self with “Spiegel im Spiegel” (mirror in the mirror, composed in 1978) by
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt:

Let’s have fun with our last example: a repeated bass line in Boogie-Woogie music by Albert Ammons & Pete Johnson (1943):

For more repeated forms go around and visit our post:
Round and Round