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.
COMPLICATED
Avril Lavigne
CRYSTAL BALL
P!nk
DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
The All-American Rejects
DISAPPEAR
The Gabe Dixon Band
DON'T ROCK THE JUKEBOX
Alan Jackson
DON'T YOU WORRY 'BOUT A THING
Stevie Wonder
DOOR NUMBER THREE
Sara Bareilles
Each Day Gets Better
John Legend
EVERYDAY PEOPLE
Sly & The Family Stone
EVERY MAN
Casting Crowns
FOLLOW YOUR ARROW
Kacey Musgraves
FORGIVENESS
Sarah McLachlan
GOT TO BE REAL
Mary J. Blige
GUIDING LIGHT
Mumford & Sons
HARD TO HANDLE
The Black Crowes
HEAVEN
Kane Brown
HIP TO BE SQUARE
Huey Lewis & The News
I BELIEVE
Christina Perri
I BELIEVE IN HAPPY ENDINGS
Neil Diamond
I DON'T KNOW
Paul McCartney
IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG I DON'T WANT TO BE RIGHT
Luther Ingram
IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW
Simply Red
I LOVE THE WAY YOU LOVE ME
John Michael Montgomery
I'M FREE
Dean Pitchford
INVISIBLE
Clay Aiken
IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE
Roxette
IT MUST HAVE BEEN THE MISTLETOE
Barbara Mandrell
IT'S NOW OR NEVER
Elvis Presley
I WANT IT THAT WAY
Backstreet Boys
KEEP YOUR MIND WIDE OPEN
AnnaSophia Robb
LONELY GIRL
P!nk
LOVE AND AFFECTION
Nelson
Love The Way You Lie
Eminem
NEVER CAN SAY GOODBYE
The Jackson 5
NEVER SAY GOODBYE
Bon Jovi
NOTHING EVER HURT LIKE YOU
James Morrison
OH SHERRIE
Steve Perry
PARTY
Beyonce featuring Andre 3000
PEACHES
Presidents Of The United States Of America
RAIN ON THE SCARECROW
John Mellencamp
REAL LOVE
Michael McDonald
ROCK THIS COUNTRY!
Shania Twain
SABES UNA COSA
Luis Miguel
SET ME FREE
Casting Crowns
SHOOTING STAR
Bad Company
SINCE I LOST MY BABY
Michael McDonald
SMOOTH
Santana
Stop
Jamelia
Page 14 of 42 · 1,981 oom-pah bass songs
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.