An obbligato is a countermelody that stays close to the main melody while moving independently from it.
How to use it
Placing a short phrase where the vocal rests enriches the song without getting in the way of the main melody.
How it differs from related terms
An obbligato is a line that supports the main melody, while call and response is an exchange between phrases.
Avoid the same register and timing as the main melody so that both can be heard.
