Cycle (music)

In music a cycle is a section which is repeated or repeatable indefinitely, with the end of a preceding repetition leading to the beginning of a succeeding repetition. Cycles may be melodic, harmonic, or rhythmic and are used in isorhythm, Indonesian music, and minimalist music. Ostinatos are often cyclic, such as the ground bass, as are many chord progressions, such as the twelve bar blues. Cycles may also begin at any point in a composition or in relation to each other, contain or consist of cycles, and may be varied upon repetition.

See also

• Interval cycle
• Song cycle