Doo-wop facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Doo-wop |
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|---|---|
| Stylistic origins | Rhythm and blues, gospel, swing |
| Cultural origins | 1940s–early 1960s, United States |
| Typical instruments | Double bass - Electric guitar - Saxophone - Drums - Piano - Harmony vocals |
| Derivative forms | Beach music, beat, soul, rock and roll |
| Regional scenes | |
| New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, Baltimore, Los Angeles, Cincinnati | |
| Other topics | |
| 50s chord progression | |
Doo-wop is a fun and catchy type of music. It started in the 1940s in African-American communities in the USA. This style became very popular in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Doo-wop is all about vocal harmony. This means groups of singers sing different notes that sound good together. It was one of the most popular R&B (Rhythm and Blues) styles back then.
Contents
What Makes Doo-wop Special?
Doo-wop songs have some unique features. They often use nonsense syllables like "doo-wop" or "shang-a-lang." The music usually has a simple beat. Sometimes, there are only voices with very few or no instruments. The lyrics are often simple and easy to remember.
Singer Bill Kenny is sometimes called the "Godfather of Doo-wop." He helped create a special singing style. In this style, a high-pitched tenor singer takes the lead. A deep bass singer often speaks or recites parts of the lyrics in the middle of the song.
History and Popularity of Doo-wop
The first song to use the actual words "doo-wop" was "When You Dance" by the Turbans in 1955. The term "doo-wop" first appeared in writing in 1961.
Many Italian-American groups also became famous in the doo-wop scene. The music was most popular around 1961. Even after its peak, doo-wop continued to influence other music styles. You can hear its impact in soul, pop, and rock songs from the 1960s.
Doo-wop's Influence on Music
Doo-wop was a very important step for many African-American music styles we hear today. It grew out of jazz and blues music. It also had a big impact on many major Rock and Roll groups. These groups helped define music in the later parts of the 20th century.
Doo-wop is known for its swing-like beats. It often uses the "off-beat" to keep time, which gives it a special feel. This genre helped lay the groundwork for many new musical ideas, like R&B.
You might even hear doo-wop sounds in modern music. For example, Meghan Trainor often creates songs that have a doo-wop style.
Images for kids
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The Moonglows, 1956
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Herman Santiago, original lead singer of the Teenagers
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The Ramones in Toronto (1976)
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The Cleftones performing at a doo-wop festival in May 2010.
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Kathy Young with the Earth Angels singing "A Thousand Stars" at a festival in May 2010.
See also
In Spanish: Doo wop para niños
