Songwriting Habit: Using Call and Response
When composing a melody, sometimes using the technique of Call and Response can develop your song, giving it some variety and interest.
Call and response is when you have the call - that is the first melody, usually a soloist. This is then answered by the response - a different melody, responding to the first. The response is sometimes done by another instrument or group of singers.
Here are some examples….
Under Pressure - Queen. The opening bass riff is the call followed by the piano playing two notes which is the response.
2. Shout - GLEE version
The male and female solo singers are the call, whilst the group of singers are the response….
3. Gospel Music - Starts with the response by group of singers repeating the phrase walk by faith. The call is sung by the female vocalist in between each walk by faith phrase.