Is "Mama Says" good for a child learning piano?

Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.

What age can start with "Mama Says"?

Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.

Do we need a piano teacher to use this?

No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.

Can we print the sheet music?

Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.

How many chords does "Mama Says" use?

Just 29 chords: A7, Ab, Ab6, Ab7, Abm, Adim, Adim7, Am7, +21 more. Take it one section at a time.

What other Dean Pitchford songs work for kids?

Try "LEARNING TO BE SILENT", "HEAVEN HELP ME", "THE GIRL GETS AROUND". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.

Super Simple Piano

Mama Says

· by Dean Pitchford

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Lyrics

(Eb)Ev ’ry thing I (Ab)ev er (Eb)learned that (Ab)gets me (Db)through the worst,

I (Bb7sus)learned at my (Bb7)ma ma’s (Ab7)knee.

Now an y time I’m (Ab)turned a (Eb)round I (G)turn to Ma ma (C7)first, and (Fm7)you’d be wise to (Eb)mem o rize what (Ab)Ma ma says to me.

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t use a toast er while (Adim)stand ing in the show er.

Now who can ar gue with that?

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t hold your breath y thing for (Adim)long er than an ho ur.

Is she an a knows whiz or it’s what?

at!

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (Eb)mat ter if you’re a king

(Ab6)or you’re a (Eb)clown.

(Ab)Once (Adim7)you (Eb)drive up (G7)a (Cm)moun tain,

you (Ab)can’t back (Eb7)down.

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t drink hot cof fee while (Adim)ly ing down in bed.

er.

Don’t e ven give it a thought.

Ma ma (Eb7)says nev er eat breath y thing that’s (Adim)big ger than your head.

ur.

Is she an a knows whiz or it’s what?

at!

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (Eb)mat ter if you’re a king

(Ab6)or you’re a (Eb)clown.

(Ab)Once (Adim7)you (Eb)drive up (G7)a (Cm)moun tain,

you (Ab)can’t back (Eb7)down.

Ma ma (Eb)down.

(Cm)Ma ma makes a lot ta sense, if (G7)you know how to lis ten.

She is (Ab)clear and con cise.

(Cm)Dad dy says, “I love her, Son, but (G7)she’s got mar bles miss in’.” But (Ab)I say, “Hey!

It’s (Adim7)free ad vice,

and what d’ you ex pect at that (Gm7)price?”

Ma ma (F)says what you be lieve in is (Fdim)all you real ly own,

and I be lieve that she’s (F)right.

Ma ma (F)says if you’ve got (A)doubts, (A7)well then, (Dm)boy, you’re (Dm)not a lone.

Just means you’re read y to (C7)fight.

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (F)mat ter

if you’re a (Bb)king or you’re (Bb)a (F)clown.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up (A7)a (Dm)moun tain,

you (Bb)can’t back (F)down.

You can (Bb)turn up the heat, you can (Bdim7)turn up the road, you can (F)car ry a beat, you can (D)car ry a load, you can throw a fit, you can throw a punch, you can (C7)bring up a (Bb)child, you can (C)bring up your (C7)lunch!

Ma ma says

it does n’t (F)mat ter

if you (Bb)drive a hard bar gain or drive a round town.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up (A7)a (Dm)moun tain,

you (Bb)can’t back (Am7)down.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up a moun tain, you (G7)can’t

(C7)back

(F)down!

Mama Says by Dean Pitchford — Easy Piano for Kids

This page shows “Mama Says” by Dean Pitchford in our color-coded kid songbook view — every note is colored by pitch (red C, orange D, yellow E, green F, blue G, purple A, pink B) and the lyrics sit directly under each note, so children can sing along while they play. The song is in the key of Ab at 88 BPM, a medium-difficulty arrangement — try slowing the tempo down using the BPM control.

Tips for parents & teachers

Start at 50% tempo using the BPM control. Speed up only when your child can play through without stopping.
Turn on the metronome from the top bar to build steady rhythm.
Use the segmented OFF / C / 1 button to toggle note labels on the staff and keys — kids learn note names faster with letters showing.
Tap a measure number on the timeline to jump to a specific section for repeat practice.

Frequently asked questions

Is "Mama Says" good for a child learning piano?: Yes — this color-coded arrangement is designed for ages 4-12. Each note is colored by pitch so kids match colors to keys, no music reading required. Lyrics sit under every note for sing-along play.
What age can start with "Mama Says"?: Children as young as 4 can follow the color-coded notes. By age 6-7 most kids can play through the song themselves with light guidance. Parent help is recommended for the first few sessions.
Do we need a piano teacher to use this?: No — the color-coded format is designed to be self-explanatory. Parents with no music background can supervise. Teachers can also use it as an introductory lesson tool.
Can we print the sheet music?: Yes — tap "Download Sheet Music" above for a free printable PDF with the same color-coded notes that appear on screen.
How many chords does "Mama Says" use?: Just 29 chords: A7, Ab, Ab6, Ab7, Abm, Adim, Adim7, Am7, +21 more. Take it one section at a time.
What other Dean Pitchford songs work for kids?: Try "LEARNING TO BE SILENT", "HEAVEN HELP ME", "THE GIRL GETS AROUND". All play with color-coded notes; pick a familiar tune to keep kids engaged.