What Is Doo Wop?

The Chords
A form of R&B based harmony vocalizing using phonetic or nonsense syllables (like a repeated  "doo-wop") for rhythm and intricate harmonic arrangements

To be considered doo wop a song must fit into all five of the below, with minor exceptions:

• Vocal Group Harmony - A wide range of voices (usually bass to high tenor or falsetto) must be combine in vocal harmony or more commonly run underneath the lead vocalist. Usually the second tenor and baritone blend together as one sound, with high tenor often falsetto running over the lead and the bass underneath.

• Wide Range of Voice Parts (lead, first tenor (falsetto), second tenor, baritone, bass.
  
  A. Lead Voice - The lead voice is usually a tenor (castrato) such as Frankie Lymon, but a bass will lead in part of the song. Bass leads or more often  found in uptempo songs, while falsettos are more often found in ballads. Melisma, a gospel vocal technique in which syllables are elongated to fit the meter of the song was used in some regularity by the lead voice in early doo wop ballads.
  
  B.  Bass - There is almost always a distinct bass part. The bass part often provides the introduction and/or punctuates the song between choruses. The  bass typically runs under the lead voice, either as part of the back ground harmony, or a voice separate from the lead or harmony. Occasionally the bass will provide a talking bridge in the middle of the song.
  
  C.  Falsetto - Falsetto parts are often found in doo wop, most commonly at the end of the song, as part of the lead voice's fade out. Especially in ballads, the bass will echo the lead, be part of the background harmony or "run above" the background harmony.

• Nonsense Syllables - There is a liberal and frequent use of nonsense syllables with no meaning such as doo wop, bum buh-buh bum bum, lit-lit-lit-lit. Bass and harmony frequently use this device. They tended to be more restrained, simple and somber when used in ballads

• Simple Beat and Light Instrumentation Beat and Instrumentation - background beats are simple and heavy, drumming uncomplicated and anything but subtle.
         A.  Beat - doo wop started on the street corners with finger snaps and hand claps providing the beat.
         B.   Instrumentation - Originating on the street, voices were musical instruments and so it was when it moved to the recording studios. Instruments played little part in doo wop.

• Simple Music and Lyrics - Most doo wop songs are written with simple melodies, often with four chord progressions. Doo Wop lyrics tend to be repetitive, simple, dialectical, hackneyed and ungrammatical.

Doo Wop Groups

Where did the name Doo Wop come from?