call-and-response
Leader then chorus
Call-and-response is a pattern where one voice or instrument delivers a phrase and another answers it.
The form pervades gospel music, work songs, and African American preaching, where a congregation responds to the minister's declarations: Can I get an amen?
The pattern appears across cultures—in military cadences, playground chants, and rock concerts where crowds sing back to performers.
Alternating musical replies
- refrainAbstain from acting
- chorusSingers performing together
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
- gospelSacred choral tradition
spiritual · hymn · shanty · hootenanny · vocalization · harmony · melody · counterpoint
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
- jammingBlocking or wedging forcefully
improvisation · extemporaneous · riffing · scat · jazz · cypher · wit · on-the-spot
Mutual giving and receiving
- interplayReciprocal action between things
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- feedbackReturned response data
- turn-takingAlternating speaker roles
leader · echo · repetition · variation · cue · prompt · answer · rejoinder
Prolonged repetitive account
- antiphonAlternating liturgical song
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- preachingDelivering moral discourse
- sermonClergy's worship address
psalms · vespers · cantor · choir · amen · hallelujah · scripture · prayer
Gathered viewers collectively
- crowdLarge public gathering
- chantingRhythmic repetitive vocalization
- rallyGathering for a cause
- protestPublic expression of disapproval
stadium · arena · cheerleading · MC · toasting · slogan · unison · echo
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- clappingRhythmic palm strikes
- stompTread heavily
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
- grooveNarrow cut or routine
polyrhythm · drumming · percussion · cadence · pulse · pattern · handclap · backbeat
antiphony
Alternating musical replies
gospel · spiritual · hymn · shanty · hootenanny · vocalization · harmony · melody · counterpoint · verse
spontaneity
Acting without forethought
- ad-libUnscripted speech or remark
- freestyleWithout prescribed technique
- reparteeQuick, clever conversation
jamming · improvisation · extemporaneous · riffing · scat · jazz · cypher · wit · on-the-spot · interplay
exchange
Mutual giving and receiving
- interplayReciprocal action between things
- reciprocityMutual exchange of actions
- feedbackReturned response data
turn-taking · leader · echo · repetition · variation · cue · prompt · answer · rejoinder · back-and-forth
litany
Prolonged repetitive account
- antiphonAlternating liturgical song
- congregationAssembled group of worshippers
- preachingDelivering moral discourse
sermon · psalms · vespers · cantor · choir · amen · hallelujah · scripture · prayer · invocation
audience
Gathered viewers collectively
protest · stadium · arena · cheerleading · MC · toasting · slogan · unison · echo · repetition
beat
Rhythmic pulse or strike
- clappingRhythmic palm strikes
- stompTread heavily
- syncopationStressed unexpected beats
groove · polyrhythm · drumming · percussion · cadence · pulse · pattern · handclap · backbeat · timing
- group songssing-along, sing-alongs, singalong, communal songs, communal singing
- kids musicsinging, songs, lullabies, nursery rhymes, alphabet songs
- singalong songssingalong, campfire song, camp song, drinking song, shanty
- Stadium Chantshere we go, lets go, we believe, rally cry, MVP
- Black DiasporaAfrican American, African Americans, African diaspora, African heritage, African roots
- Chantsplainsong, Gregorian chant, tribal chant, ritual chant, sacred chant
call-and-responsemonologue
Uninterrupted solo address
lecture · broadcast · proclamation · sermon · dictation
call-and-responsemonologue
Uninterrupted solo address
broadcast · proclamation · pronouncement · speechifying · declamation
recall, calling, response, called, responsible, respond, calls, caller, responding