Piano Songs with Oom-pah Bass Pattern
1,981 songs — Oom-pah — the left hand alternates between a low bass note (oom) and a higher chord (pah) — is the classic accompaniment of ragtime, polka, marches, and stride piano. Instantly recognizable, fun to play.
How oom-pah bass works
Oom-pah pattern: LH alternates between a single low note on beats 1 & 3 (the "oom"), and a chord on beats 2 & 4 (the "pah"). Creates a rhythmic, bouncy feel typical of march and ragtime music.
ONE SWEET DAY
Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men
Behold the Lamb of God
Matt Maher
PUSHER LOVE GIRL
Justin Timberlake
Vegas
Sara Bareilles
WALK AWAY
Christina Aguilera
Be Lifted High
Leeland Mooring
TWENTYSOMETHING
Jamie Cullum
ALWAYS BE MY BABY
Mariah Carey
I Need Love
Robin Thicke
PLEASE FORGIVE ME
Bryan Adams
ACT ONE FINALE
Urinetown (Musical)
CHRISTMAS DAY
Michael W. Smith
Living in the Moment
Jason Mraz
A MILLION MILES AWAY
Rihanna
Give Me Jesus
Jeremy Camp
RUNAWAY
P!nk
1 + 1
Beyoncé
Geek in the Pink
Jason Mraz
HIP HUG HER
Booker T. & The MG's
HIPS DON'T LIE
Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean
HOW LONG
Charlie Puth
Last Christmas
Wham!
Love on the Rocks
Sara Bareilles
WITHOUT HER
Harry Nilsson
HONEY, I'M GOOD
Andy Grammer
I'M YOURS
Jason Mraz
Proud Mary
Ike & Tina Turner
ROCK YOUR BODY
Justin Timberlake
SPEND MY LIFE WITH YOU
Eric Benet
YOU DON'T KNOW ME
Ben Folds Five
ALL I ASK OF YOU
Andrew Lloyd Webber
COULD'VE BEEN
Kirk Franklin
EVERYBODY KNOWS
John Legend
GOODBYE ALICE IN WONDERLAND
Jewel
I CHOOSE YOU
Sara Bareilles
NGICULELA-ES UNA HISTORIA I AM SINGING
Stevie Wonder
People Need The Lord
Steve Green
TIGHTROPE
Janelle Monae
We Fall Down
Chris Tomlin
WORK FROM HOME
Fifth Harmony feat. Ty Dolla $ign
BRUISES
Train
Clarity
John Mayer
EVERYBODY HAS A DREAM
Billy Joel
GENIUS
Labrinth, Sia & Diplo
Let's Get Retarded
The Black Eyed Peas
LIFETIME
Maxwell
LIGHTS DOWN LOW
MAX
Live High
Jason Mraz
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Frequently asked questions
- What is oom-pah bass on piano?
- Oom-pah is a two-beat left-hand pattern: a low bass note on the strong beat, then a chord on the weak beat. Sounds like "oom-pah, oom-pah" — hence the name. Most associated with polka, ragtime, and traditional pieces.
- Is oom-pah hard to learn?
- It's one of the simpler bass patterns — once you can hit the bass note then the chord cleanly, it's mostly about steady rhythm. Great practice for hand independence.
- What genres use oom-pah bass?
- Polka, ragtime, classical waltzes (in 3/4 oom-pah-pah), marches, and many children's songs. Browse the list for examples across genres.