How to FIX a BORING Ostinato

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  • Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
  • It doesn't take much to make an ostinato more interesting!
    ⚔️ Learn To Compose An INTRODUCTION From Skyward Sword • I listened to 190 Zeld...
    Film composers use ostinatos all of the time. They give cues an underlying motor and are incredibly useful for laying down a driving layer that other harmonies and lines can be added to. But it's easy to write an ostinato that feels active but is really about as useful as a glorified metronome.
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Комментарии • 406

  • @RyanLeach
    @RyanLeach  2 года назад +135

    ⚔️ Learn To Compose An INTRODUCTION From Skyward Sword ruclips.net/video/dRSw15TDsx4/видео.html

    • @l.2264
      @l.2264 2 года назад

      Hi. Can you talk about the last of us themes?

    • @thegr8malachite370
      @thegr8malachite370 2 года назад

      thank you so much for this simple and concise, information dense video

    • @warpedmine9682
      @warpedmine9682 2 года назад

      Hey can you review bo burham's inside

    • @TanoshiSan
      @TanoshiSan 2 года назад

      Duuude I made a cover of Skyloft from skyward sword!!!! And it's literally my favorite track I've ever made, the album art is my profile pic 😂

    • @jameseverett4976
      @jameseverett4976 Год назад

      you know how to teach, and keep it short, without so much unnecessary blahblah that adds nothing to the skills. I just watched another video on the same subject that went off into harmony and endless blahblah -16 minute video, with 4 seconds of anything worth hearing.... such a drag. Good teachers are so rare.

  • @SuperSeaMonkey
    @SuperSeaMonkey 2 года назад +67

    I watched this and went from writing Ostinatos to writing BOSStinatos.

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +6

      Ha, glad I could help

  • @jons_7402
    @jons_7402 2 года назад +536

    I think it's important to mention that this is mostly applicable if you have a "feeling conflict". If the music asks for a simple quarter note ostinato to give that steady pulse, by all means, do it!
    You can also mask whatever simplicity you're trying to avoid using the instrumentation, like giving each instrument a section of the melody; you'd basically be using color and timbre rather than rhythm to spice things up.

    • @celadewallace474
      @celadewallace474 2 года назад +8

      "Flavor"/"Coloar" in timbre (variations of the sounds themselves) is a really amazing tool. As an example, try making a drone song with single core note. Not only can we vary harmonics around a drone note but just by varying the quality of the sound (having it change in timbre and even rhythmic structure) suddenly turns it into something interesting that provides surprises and delights for your brain to follow. Whether we're using chord progressions or just the complex qualities of sound (ambience) it is finding this interesting sound landscape to explore that makes all the difference.

  • @fanman1
    @fanman1 2 года назад +202

    Great video. That Sith ostinato from Duel of the Fates, when played backwards becomes the main shape of the Force theme E F#GA G. John Williams is the GOAT!

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +49

      That's pretty sick, never noticed that. And the melody version of the ostinato even includes that low B like the pickup to the force theme!

    • @mattpiano11824
      @mattpiano11824 Год назад +3

      That blew my mind! Also, Augie’s Great Municipal Band, from the scene at the end, contains emperor palpatine’s theme in the background but it’s transposed.

    • @velxcity07
      @velxcity07 Год назад +1

      @@mattpiano11824 oh yea I’ve heard abt that too. Plus the last notes of Anakin’s theme has fragments of the main imperial March motif in it. (I like how our inner film music nerd is showing in these comments ☠️)

  • @cmichael6243
    @cmichael6243 2 года назад +305

    this is great. As a composer who always present music to the directors, when it comes to ostinato (which is common in film scoring), they always have this comment about ostinato section being too repetitive. This gives me another idea on what to do next! Thanks Ryan

  • @RobLandes
    @RobLandes Год назад +98

    Learned something new, thanks man!

    • @n0identity295
      @n0identity295 Год назад +2

      Rob lowkey getting ego checked. 4 mil subs and 9 likes 💀

    • @RobLandes
      @RobLandes Год назад +13

      @@n0identity295 I honestly don’t mind lol. Just here to learn and I want him to know it.

    • @hi28
      @hi28 Год назад +2

      ​@@n0identity295 what did you expect the video is a year old

  • @robkunkel8833
    @robkunkel8833 2 года назад +9

    2:51 OMG … suddenly the sound that made me hooked on Game of Thrones for a few seasons. Until that awful wedding. Then, I moved on. I digress. That ostinato is SOO distinctive. This is a fun channel. Deserves Patreon support.

  • @elijahgemmill2000
    @elijahgemmill2000 2 года назад +2

    I saw the thumbnail. In high school we played duel of the fates written like "boring". It had a slur between 3rd and 4th notes but the saxophones played it like the "good" one and the conductor called us out on it because that's not how it was written.

  • @DepressedCapitalist
    @DepressedCapitalist 2 года назад +182

    Great video! Your pace and clarity at explaining is what makes it fun yet educational. Keep it up!

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +6

      Thanks!

    • @Aidan1100
      @Aidan1100 2 года назад

      Thank you

    • @Nae_Ayy
      @Nae_Ayy 2 года назад

      @@Aidan1100 you're welcome

  • @analcough5321
    @analcough5321 2 года назад +29

    a really cool case where this rule fails is in technical death metal, if you take enough time visualizing melodies you can make it pure 16th notes and it will sound fantastic if its a thoughtful melody

  • @longstoryshort3882
    @longstoryshort3882 2 года назад +19

    Duel of the Fates and the Darth Maul fights carried the Phantom Menace movie 😅- Great vid as always Ryan!

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +4

      When that movie came out I got swept up in how cool it was just to have a new Star Wars movie. When I watched it again not too long ago with my son I was just like "oh man..."

    • @inlonging
      @inlonging 2 года назад

      @@RyanLeach it was the groundbreaking special fx movie but is beginning to look dated. Good thing Lucas sold Disney else he would be working on a special edition haha

  • @aria250mm
    @aria250mm 2 года назад +104

    Very informative and the real world examples/comparisons are fantastic.

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +2

      Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

  • @jibjubby
    @jibjubby Год назад +2

    So much respect to you for making a 5 minute video where you said something really interesting and informative, and left it at that. Literally the only educational youtuber I've seen who doesn't pad out videos with bullshit for the algorithm.

  • @transitive6261
    @transitive6261 2 года назад +9

    Mr. Blue sky "I'm going to just ignore this and make s banger with only quarter notes" (makes banger)

  • @Delcat42
    @Delcat42 2 года назад +18

    I'm loving your videos! I'm an aspiring game dev and confirmed audiophile, but writing music has always been daunting to me. Your work makes the idea of composing my own tracks IMMENSELY less daunting and WAY more fun. Thank you so much for these!

  • @Kitties_are_pretty
    @Kitties_are_pretty 2 года назад +4

    This is super useful advice.
    edit: Showing contrasting versions of an ostinato really demonstrates how the tiniest difference can completely change the meaning and effect of a musical figure.

  • @BusterofGlitch
    @BusterofGlitch 2 года назад +10

    I loved hearing examples both without the 16th note and with the 16th note, and hearing examples from different themes. Thank you! :)

  • @kevinmacharia5109
    @kevinmacharia5109 2 года назад +5

    As a hobbyist musician, your videos are really insightful, thank you for these lessons

  • @samfarabee2963
    @samfarabee2963 2 года назад +11

    What a great way to enhance the music you're writing! If I'm ever composing and getting writers block I'll look through and see if I can use any of this to get things flowing again.

  • @etsbeats9689
    @etsbeats9689 2 года назад +3

    dude not only are you extremely direct with your explanations, but all of your movie scene references are on par!!!! definitely subscribing. I'm on the musical journey using ableton and a keyboard so hopefully I can apply your tricks to my projects

  • @CallMeCaroline
    @CallMeCaroline 2 года назад +23

    Love how simple yet effective this is!

  • @ChronoMune
    @ChronoMune Год назад +1

    First video I’ve ever seen of yours. One of my easiest decisions to subscribe only halfway through it. Thanks for sharing the musical love like this with us.

  • @brianj4090
    @brianj4090 Год назад +3

    Just found the channel and have found each vid I’ve watched very helpful and practical. I really like the comparison of examples in this one and using super familiar examples is perfect.

  • @TheRamBoiiii
    @TheRamBoiiii 2 года назад +2

    Wow, your editing and video quality are amazing! Helpful diagrams with tangible, relatable examples!

  • @_thalescorrea
    @_thalescorrea 2 года назад +1

    Great video! It’s really well edited, concise and super useful advice. Loved your use of footage like Barbosa’s commentary towards the end. Got me subscribed!

  • @e7mac693
    @e7mac693 2 года назад +37

    So good! I've been using the dotted note a lot already, but I'll add the other 2 to my toolbox as well! Thanks for the awesome examples!

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +2

      Thanks, I hope you can put it to use!

  • @snuppssynthchannel
    @snuppssynthchannel 2 года назад +4

    The ostinato in the first movement from ELP's "Tarkus" is an awesome, iconic and powerful sounding Ostinato!

  • @TanoshiSan
    @TanoshiSan 2 года назад +1

    Dude this video is a gold mine of value for a producer like myself, seriously thank you so much. I'm 100% subscribed and can't wait to see the value you'll bring us next 💘

  • @arthurllongjr382
    @arthurllongjr382 2 года назад +1

    Wow! Thank you for the lesson Ryan! Easy to understand and helps to not over/underthink my composing. I wish you continued success 😎

  • @Sanayukia
    @Sanayukia 2 года назад +5

    You just helped me fix all my music!! Finally know what I was doing wrong and like you said, super easy to adjust ! Thank you so much!

  • @samueleversole5187
    @samueleversole5187 2 года назад +16

    Maybe it’s because I watch videos a little sped up. But the “boring” version of Pirates of the Caribbean sounded like the infamous jazz lick 😄

  • @catboyhumper
    @catboyhumper 2 года назад +3

    really informative video, loved the examples you used. one thing i thought of is how i think i've seen the opposite approach in some media, like omori- white space, the music for the aptly named area you start out in, and lost at a sleepover, the music that plays in the room where you meet up with your friends, both use very simple and repetitive quarter-note melodies. however, without going into too much detail at risk of spoilers, it becomes very apparent later on that they're *supposed* to be simple, with those areas being used as safe spaces- not necessarily in a harmless way.

  • @drykeon6182
    @drykeon6182 2 года назад +9

    I've felt this before, but in a different way. Years ago, when I was playing undertale, I started to wonder why megalovania sounded so tense. I noted that the first and fourth beat have fast sixteenth notes, whereas the second and third beat have syncopated notes of at least eighth note length, giving it a feel of ebb and flow every measure. I extrapolated that rule to a lot of other tracks, including when I thought of dual of the fates. This video has given me a nice alternate perspective to look at, and a better zoomed out perspective.

  • @fabiofsumi
    @fabiofsumi Год назад

    Fantastisch, Michi!! Da steckt so viel drin,- allein mit diesem Video kann man schon super viel üben!

  • @fishoscine1220
    @fishoscine1220 Год назад +1

    Love this! Thanks, Ryan!

  • @maikdellebaracche_music866
    @maikdellebaracche_music866 Год назад

    Thank you Ryan, your videos are helping me a lot

  • @nigelirwin9958
    @nigelirwin9958 2 года назад

    Been fascinated with Ostinato's for a while now and this video is one of the best explainer videos I've seen. Nice work.

  • @davidyanez4u
    @davidyanez4u 2 года назад

    I AM SO GLAD I FOUND YOUR CHANNEL!!!!!!!!
    SUBSCRIBED!!!!
    This is just what I needed: Hell I need all your videos. I'm learning something new everyday.
    THANK YOU

  • @drg9522
    @drg9522 Год назад +2

    Basically the classical antecedent of a riff

  • @Markrspooner
    @Markrspooner 2 года назад +2

    Great video Ryan and very much agree, I always look to add a bit of spice or variation to something that might otherwise be a bit lackluster.

  • @mrburnout
    @mrburnout 2 года назад +5

    oh man this is so helpful, I'm trying to write electronic music and its all very applicable advice

  • @christophercondry4224
    @christophercondry4224 2 года назад

    So happy I found your channel. THis video is an informative and insightful as the rest! Thanks so much!

  • @wernervannuffel2608
    @wernervannuffel2608 Год назад

    WoW : I like the way you build up music by first row building music part(icle)s (melody, pedal notes, ostinatos, rhythm patterns, etc..) in a way they sounds in their row version together at least melodical/harmonical right/correct... And uplifting it then to the next level by fine tune building variations of this ''particles'' and in this way implementing secret herbs mixtures on top of it to get all more interesting.and more flavoured. Again a wonderfull video. Thank you, Ryan. I learned so much with all your videos👍👌

  • @miguelbarrera8052
    @miguelbarrera8052 2 года назад

    Beautiful. Great video. Hats-off and a Thank You for keeping it short but nicely put. You covered a lot and with examples, in such a short time. Sometimes I feel that youtubers more and more often make videos over 10 min on purpose just to get the ads and all. So thank you for being brave. Not saying you shouldn't do the same if the topic requires that. Thanks for the great explanations and the examples.

  • @NeelDhar
    @NeelDhar Год назад

    Loved the teaching via examples. Keep up the good work.

  • @adrianschilbach8756
    @adrianschilbach8756 Год назад

    Great video. To the point, informative and really eye opening

  • @lioneddy6702
    @lioneddy6702 2 года назад +1

    Finally RUclips suggests something so worthy, wish i found this channel earlier but i still found you so i am happy.

  • @lollertoaster
    @lollertoaster Год назад

    Lifesaver for a hobbyist composer like me, it's all so complicated but this trick is so simple.

  • @iarreolav
    @iarreolav Год назад

    what a great channel. i appreciate your work.

  • @Goldhawk7
    @Goldhawk7 2 года назад

    You are bringing me back to my band days! I love it. Thanks!

  • @Jath2112
    @Jath2112 Год назад

    Thanks algorithm! I have immediately subbed. Love the content.

  • @EytschPi42
    @EytschPi42 Год назад

    WOW... this is a REALLY great video. Great editing, superb information!

  • @omarbahrour
    @omarbahrour 2 года назад

    Great video dude, super interesting and very clear in terms of how much a little shift can make.

  • @benjamin9901
    @benjamin9901 2 года назад

    Very nice! My composing days are long over, but I still enjoy music theory and composition. Good tips - it helps me understand why I find something musically interesting

  • @Rayman120
    @Rayman120 2 года назад +33

    Great video. My only suggestion would be to have both lines (the basic one and the tweaked and improved one) at the same time on screen, so us folks without too much music reading skills have an easier time comparing the two. An idea for future videos :)

  • @taajuuskone
    @taajuuskone 2 года назад

    Very useful information. Great video!

  • @stephengoodman9058
    @stephengoodman9058 2 года назад +1

    Speaking as an interested amateur with no musical training...that was a very clear explanation. Thank you 👍.

  • @athegodofanime7108
    @athegodofanime7108 2 года назад +1

    Niiiice! Keep up the great work!

  • @MartinHeidenreichMusic
    @MartinHeidenreichMusic 2 года назад +3

    This is so simple and so genius at the same time. THANK YOU SO MUCH, very helpful

    • @RyanLeach
      @RyanLeach  2 года назад +1

      Glad it was helpful!

  • @zachariusd
    @zachariusd 2 года назад

    Epic video. Subscribed!

  • @corvendata
    @corvendata Год назад +1

    Great succinct explanation of a very effective solution

  • @Hyper5nic
    @Hyper5nic Год назад

    Thank you Ryan! This made my day! Excellent fixes for times that writer's block looms in.

  • @felipenovais8364
    @felipenovais8364 2 года назад

    Absolutely excellent content, 'grats, man!

  • @sambivins9858
    @sambivins9858 2 года назад +1

    This is a great channel; so glad I found it

  • @donkeyfacekilla1
    @donkeyfacekilla1 2 года назад

    Excellent video! Having this exact issue with a current production! New sub

  • @benicioparedes8745
    @benicioparedes8745 Год назад

    Absolutely amazing videos defo subscribing

  • @Onurb2821
    @Onurb2821 2 года назад +1

    Do I have any idea what an ostinato is? No. Have I ever learned anything about music composing? No. Did I click just because Darth Maul was in the thumbnail? Yes.
    Anyway, great video dude. I don't think I understood much but it was fun listening to the differences and learning a bit about music. You're great at explaining. Great work!

  • @imightmakefunofyou4433
    @imightmakefunofyou4433 2 года назад

    What a great video and use of the memes man😂subbed!

  • @darkwingscooter9637
    @darkwingscooter9637 Год назад

    I'm glad you added that last bit, because I was going to say "Bach c minor Prelude says 'Hi'".
    Seriously though, straight rhythms do have an important and distinct character. It's just not always (rarely, even) the character you're looking for.

  • @connorryan2715
    @connorryan2715 2 года назад

    Well thanks to the algorithm for plopping this random video in my lap cuz this was kinda cool. I’m not terribly musically literate but I really like listening to those who are. Everything you described in this video I feel like I innately knew from listening to music but never would have put into words

  • @theandroids
    @theandroids Год назад +1

    This is really useful. Thanks.

  • @Inzomniac9
    @Inzomniac9 Год назад

    Nice advice! Thanks

  • @Thelaretus
    @Thelaretus Год назад +1

    One of my favourite ostinatos ever is the _Confutātis_ from Mozart's last Requiem.
    It literally sounds like fire.

  • @karlrovey
    @karlrovey 2 года назад +6

    It also depends on the purpose of the ostinato. Sometimes you wind up with something like Pachelbel's canon (with the half-note ground bass). It works well for that piece because it's not a main auditory feature of the piece.

  • @chrisf1600
    @chrisf1600 2 года назад

    Fascinating. I didn't even know what an Ostinato was before watching this video, but now I know what it is AND I know how to make it interesting :) thanks !

  • @melonmusiks
    @melonmusiks 2 года назад

    really interesting, thanks for sharing.

  • @maxx27i
    @maxx27i 2 года назад

    I found good examples of ostinato, thank you!

  • @JaneDoe-gq1kr
    @JaneDoe-gq1kr 2 года назад

    I know this was meant for orchestral pieces but this will actually really help my pead guitar playing. You've given me a lot to think about, thank you.

  • @howard555
    @howard555 2 года назад

    this is a good ass video man, well worded too. i subbed and am looking forward to ur future vids

  • @ramonavisconti674
    @ramonavisconti674 2 года назад

    great tips, great video, thanks!

  • @bnbsda
    @bnbsda Год назад

    Great Video!

  • @GreenHope42
    @GreenHope42 2 года назад +2

    Thanks for the great tips. It's amazing how some simple changes are so effective.

  • @-mcl2006
    @-mcl2006 Год назад

    Awesome video. Thank you

  • @myroslavsaratovkin6868
    @myroslavsaratovkin6868 2 года назад +1

    Every video is very useful and interesting. Thank you.

  • @alphaenemyplus8376
    @alphaenemyplus8376 11 месяцев назад

    This is fantastic content. Not for myself, but for those that still aren't getting it. Well done, thank you! Very simply explained composition.

  • @shemsbendali2151
    @shemsbendali2151 2 года назад

    Great video man ! Very usefull

  • @sammysammuelson2425
    @sammysammuelson2425 2 года назад

    One word: BRILLIANT. BRAVO 👏🏻

  •  2 года назад

    great content! subscribed

  • @joeleke64
    @joeleke64 2 года назад

    Great video!

  • @HrHTeam
    @HrHTeam Месяц назад

    So useful, thanks very much.

  • @samsignorelli
    @samsignorelli 2 года назад +11

    Surprised you didn't use the classic ostenato from Holst's "Mars."

  • @vehemore
    @vehemore 2 года назад

    beauuutiful!!! thank you so much for this

  • @kappa_06
    @kappa_06 Год назад

    Oh ! "Steal the embrio" was my favorite music of JW !" Such suspens on the music, such a dramatic effect !

  • @MrKeithterrett
    @MrKeithterrett Год назад

    Another great video on an important harmonic device not well covered by others!

  • @Heartland.Productions
    @Heartland.Productions Год назад

    “Dennis Steals the Embryo” is such a hidden gem in the Jurassic Park soundtrack. Everyone knows the main theme, but really the movie is filled with tons of fantastic music.

  • @caytlinparker6371
    @caytlinparker6371 2 года назад

    Look I know nothing about music.... But yet you got me hooked. New sub I'm intrigued by this newfound musical theory

  • @gaz5396
    @gaz5396 2 года назад

    One of my favorite themes is very simple: the Gravity calla’s intro is very simple but so very well done because it using synths, whistling, etc to add more layers

  • @calvinfoo
    @calvinfoo Год назад

    No wonder I felt those awesome songs I listened to always doesn't follow the metronome timing exactly but feel so nice

  • @chrisbooker971
    @chrisbooker971 Месяц назад

    One thing to note. Some great sonic tracks make great use of measures that are 4 straight quarter notes often used to contrast lightning quick solo melody measures. Anything boring in music can be made interesting in the right context.

  • @ArcticBeats
    @ArcticBeats Год назад +1

    Cool video, appreciate it!