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.
ANNA
The Beatles
BABA O'RILEY
The Who
BABY IT'S YOU
JoJo featuring Bow Wow
BALLAD OF BILLY THE KID
Billy Joel
BE ALRIGHT
Justin Bieber
BEAUTIFUL MESS
Diamond Rio
BEST SONG EVER
One Direction
BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
BILLIONAIRE
Travie McCoy featuring Bruno Mars
BLACK CAT
Janet Jackson
BLESSED
Elton John
BOOGIE FEVER
The Sylvers
BOOGIE WONDERLAND
Earth, Wind & Fire
Budapest
George Ezra
BUILD ME UP, BUTTERCUP
The Foundations
CAR WASH
Rose Royce
CHEAP THRILLS
Sia feat. Sean Paul
CLASSIC
MKTO
COME DANCING
The Kinks
COME PICK ME UP
Ryan Adams
DJ GOT US FALLIN' IN LOVE
Usher featuring Pitbull
DO THAT TO ME ONE MORE TIME
Captain & Tennille
DOWN UNDER
Men At Work
DUST IN THE WIND
William Joseph
GET BACK
Demi Lovato
GONE, GONE, GONE
Phillip Phillips
GOOD MORNING HEARTACHE
Billie Holiday
HAPPIER
Marshmello & Bastille
HI-LILI, HI-LO
Gene Vincent
I Can't Make You Love Me
Bonnie Raitt
I CAN'T STAND STILL
Dean Pitchford
I DO NOT HOOK UP
Kelly Clarkson
I Don't Trust Myself
John Mayer
I GOT MONEY NOW
P!nk
I JUST WASN'T MADE FOR THESE TIMES
The Beach Boys
In Repair
John Mayer
I SHOT THE SHERIFF
Bob Marley
ISN'T IT A PITY
George Harrison
IT'S YOU
Stevie Wonder
I WONDER
Kellie Pickler
I WOULDN'T WANT TO BE LIKE YOU
Alan Parsons Project
LEAVE A TENDER MOMENT ALONE
Billy Joel
LEAVE THE NIGHT ON
Sam Hunt
LET YOU LOVE ME
Rita Ora
LOOKING FOR YOU
Kirk Franklin
MAYBERRY
Rascal Flatts
MERCY
Duffy
MERCY
Duffy
Page 18 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.