Doo-wop chords
Three soft chords on every slow beat: the classic 1950s ballad sound. One of the block chord patterns.
How to play it
Find the notes
Put your right hand over a C chord. You need low C (thumb, 1), low E (middle finger, 3), high C (thumb, 1) and high E (middle finger, 3).
Count and play
Count the eighth notes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12. Play high C and high E together on 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, then low C and low E together on 10, 11 and 12.
Move it with the chords
When the chord changes to G, the same rhythm moves to the notes of G: low G, low B, high G and high B. Play it slowly over the chord loop above, at 60% speed first, then faster.
Songs that use it
Questions
What is Doo-wop chords on piano?
Three soft chords on every slow beat: the classic 1950s ballad sound. Right-hand chords on every 8th note. Musicians call it pumping 8th chords (12/8).
Is Doo-wop chords hard to play?
It is an intermediate pattern. Learn it with your right hand alone at 60% speed first, then play it over a chord loop.
Which songs use Doo-wop chords?
Donna by Ritchie Valens, Cry For Me by Frankie Valli and Oh! Darling by The Beatles use Doo-wop chords. The songs on this page all use it in the right hand, the most played first.