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octave: A term referring to both the eight consecutive notes that make up a major or minor scale and the interval spanning the first through the eighth notes of any such scale. The frequency of the pitch of the top note of an octave is exactly twice that of the bottom note of the octave.

Okonkolo: The smallest of the double-headed membranophones in the bat· ensemble.

oral tradition: Tradition preserved in people ís minds through singing or speech; in contrast to written tradition, recorded on a page through writing or notation.

orchestra: A large Western instrumental ensemble. See Western orchestra.

organ grinder: Itinerant street musician who plays a small portable barrel organ. In Argentinian barrios, organ grinders played tangos; in Italy and in the Italian immigrant communities, they played folk songs and were often accompanied by a dancing monkey. Organ grinders are also called ìorganitos in Spanish-speaking communities.

organitos: The Spanish word for organ grinders.

orisha: "Saint" in the Santerìa tradition.

ornaments: Melodic, rhythmic and timbral elaborations or decorations such as gracings, rekrek, grace notes, etc.

ostinato: A short musical pattern which is continually repeated.

outdoor style: A vocal or instrumental style with substantial intensity or penetrating tone quality, originally meant to be performed out of doors.

overtones: The harmonics above the fundamental. see Example.