Call and Response: How to Make a Musical Conversation

Melody ideas sometimes feel like they only come from random inspiration.

But in fact, many of the best lines follow a pattern that’s easy to recognize once you know how it works.

I’m talking about a common figure called call and response.

It’s a melodic technique you can use to generate ideas and add interest to your songwriting.

In this article I’ll explain what call and response is, how to recognize it and where to use it in your own tracks.

Let’s get started.

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What is call and response?

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Call and response is a musical pattern that consists of a ‘statement’ phrase and contrasting ‘answer’ phrase delivered one after the other.

It’s a powerful device in songwriting because it mimics the basic format of human communication.

Call and response can occur with almost any type of music figure, but it’s most commonly heard in melodic lines.

It’s sometimes used to give an instrument or melody its own character or persona as in a leitmotif.

Call and response melodies stick easily in your head since the familiar pattern makes them extra memorable and distinct.

Call and response is a musical pattern that consists of a ‘statement’ phrase and contrasting ‘answer’ phrase delivered one after the other.

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What does call and response sound like?

Call and response can be heard in any two part melody with a statement and answer format.

You can usually tell when a line or figure opens with a statement that feels incomplete. The answer that comes next either confirms or subverts your expectations using complementary or contrasting material.

Where can you use call and response?

Call and response may seem like a simple concept, but there are many different places it can be used in a musical composition.

Here are some examples of specific situations where the technique shines:

1. Lead and backing vocals

One simple way to use call and response is while writing  backing vocals.

Backing vocals help emphasize and support the lead vocalist’s performance. But they can also become part of the main melody.

They’re a natural choice for call and response since they reinforce the conversational feel of the line.

Here’s a clear example of this approach in action:

2. Contrasting musical figures

Just because the song’s hook isn’t in the vocal line doesn’t mean you can’t use call and response.

In fact, setting up contrasting melodies and figures with this pattern is one of the best strategies for writing catchy instrumental hooks.

Backing vocals help emphasize and support the lead vocalist’s performance. But they can also become part of the main melody.

If you ever stumble on a phrase that feels like it has a natural ‘second half,’ consider drawing attention to the call and response like in this example:

3. Similar lines in contrasting voices

Call and response isn’t limited to melodic structure.

A response can come from a different instrument or texture even if it shares the basic melodic outline

This is especially interesting when the response figure appears in a different octave register or a very different instrumental voice.

4. Trading fours

One way to use call and response while improvising is called ‘trading fours.’

It’s a technique in jazz where soloists exchange short improvisations, typically lasting four bars each.

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By listening to what the other musicians are playing, jazz players often create contrasting or complimentary lines that can act like call and response figures between band members.

Melodic techniques

Call and response is probably one of the oldest musical forms still in use today.

Its strong connection to human conversation makes it a powerful tool in any savvy songwriters toolkit.

If you’ve made it through this article you’ll have a good start for using call and response in your own tracks.

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Michael Hahn is an engineer and producer at Autoland and member of the swirling indie rock trio Slight.

@Michael Hahn