100 String Ostinato Patterns (patterns 51-100)

String ostinato patterns are the backbone for trailer and action scoring. I’ve never found more than a handful of good examples of useful ostinatos to use for this purpose so I came up with 100 of my own. Most of the example play over a single (usually minor) chord. The pattern will play once and then will be repeated layering the same part an octave higher. The patterns are generally played with 16th notes. The key and tempo for each pattern are not randomly selected. The key is based on a comfortable range depending on the notes utilized. The tempo is what felt best for that particular pattern. Of course, you’re free to pick any key and tempo when applying these patterns. The lower notes (bass and cello) are simply supportive elements to add motion and identify the root harmony. The patterns move from simple (both rhythmically and harmonically) and increase as the patterns progress. Patterns 39-46 demonstrate the chord progression i-VI-III-bVI (Cm-Ab-Eb-Bb).