Loop
Repeated, self-contained musical sequence played back continuously.
What it means
A loop is a short, self-contained section of music whose end connects seamlessly back to its beginning, so that it can be repeated indefinitely. The join between end and start must not be audible as a break.
Musical use
Loops originated as physical tape loops, spliced by studio engineers in the 1950s and 1960s and run continuously on a tape machine. With sampling and digital music software, the loop became a central building block of hip-hop, electronic dance music and pop production, where rhythm, bass or melody loops are layered and combined. The loop should be distinguished from the ostinato, which also denotes a repeated pattern but arises as a compositional device in live music, without a technical playback loop.
Performance practice
When building your own loops, aim for exact bar lengths and an inaudible transition between end and start, so the repetition does not create a stutter or click.