The Ostinato Game

Two players (or more) improvise on the basis of interlocking ostinatos. The subject of the exercise is rhythmic communication and sharing of a pulse. One player will start presenting an ostinato figure. The second player improvises an interlocking ostinato, sharing the same pulse. Once the ostinatos are established, player one develops an improvisation while player two keeps the ostinato. Player one comes back to the original interlocking pattern and player two develops an improvisation. After player two returns, both players once more play the interlocking pattern and try to make a natural ending.