Question & Response in Songwriting Melodies
In this article we are going to discuss a very simple concept, that is question and response melodies. We are not, in this article, referring the questions and answers with respect to lyrics.
Usually melodies appear in couplets, or pairs, where the melody is different. So if a verse had four lines you might have (in a relatively simple song):
Line 1 Melody 1
Line 2 Melody 2
Line 3 Melody 1
Line 4 Melody 2
where Melody 1 is the question and Melody 2 in the response. This means that Melody 1 (question) will end on a high note (like when asking a question, and this leaves the melody ‘unresolved’), and Melody 2 (response) ends on a lower or root note (the ’solution’).
Question and Response is a very natural structure and is present in most melodic music, including classical, jazz and pop. It is worth mentioning that most composers will have formed melodies in this way naturally, without realising that they have done so. Therefore it is probably best to be aware of question & response when writing, but without directly forcing it upon any melody or song.