Call & Response

Call and Response in Music

Call and response is a feature that's quite common in both blues and jazz, as well as popular music.

• Call: A certain melody
• Response: Another melody

Example: "Happy" by Pharrell Williams

A good example of this technique can be found in the song "Happy" by Pharrell Williams.

• Introduction:

  • The song starts with the line, "It might seem crazy what I'm about to say."
  • The instrument serves as the response: "Sunshine, she's here. You can take a break."

• Verse Call and Response:

  • Call: "Because I'm happy"
  • Response: "Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof."

This back-and-forth pattern continues throughout the song.

Practical Application

Let's have a look at an example of call and response just on the piano.