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.
LONG WAY TO HAPPY
P!nk
Number One
John Legend
ORDINARY PEOPLE
John Legend
PART TIME LOVER
Stevie Wonder
Shut Up
The Black Eyed Peas
Song for a Friend
Jason Mraz
STREETSINGER
Brooklyn The Musical
TWO PEOPLE FELL IN LOVE
Brad Paisley
WHEN I GET YOU ALONE
Glee Cast
WHEN WE'RE HUMAN
Anika Noni Rose
Flake
Jack Johnson
Happy
Pharrell Williams
HOLY SPIRIT, YOU ARE WELCOME HERE
Babbie Mason
IF I DIE YOUNG
The Band Perry
I'LL BE THERE
Mariah Carey
Let's Get It Started
Black Eyed Peas
LIGHT MY CANDLE
Jonathan Larson
STOLE
Kelly Rowland
TAKE YOU DOWN
Chris Brown
THAT'S WHAT LOVE IS FOR
Amy Grant
VOICES
Chris Young
BAD DAY
Daniel Powter
CHARLENE
Anthony Hamilton
COUNTING STARS
OneRepublic
HEAVEN IS TEN ZILLION LIGHT YEARS AWAY
Stevie Wonder
IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW
Charlie Puth feat. Boyz II Men
LA VIDA SIN AMOR
Il Divo
LEAVE
JoJo
MODEL BEHAVIOR
David Yazbek
OVER YOU
Ingrid Michaelson
SERIOUS
Legally Blonde The Musical
THE GOSPEL
Ryan Stevenson
WHERE THE PARTY AT?
Jagged Edge With Nelly
Wordplay
Jason Mraz
A GUY LIKE YOU
Alan Menken
AMANDA
Boston
A Moment Like This
Leona Lewis
A MOMENT LIKE THIS
Kelly Clarkson
A NIGHT TO REMEMBER
High School Musical 3 Cast
BANG BANG
Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST
Ariana Grande & John Legend
DIFFERENT SUMMERS
Demi Lovato
GRACE WINS
Matthew West
HAPPY
Natasha Bedingfield
LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE BOY
Deniece Williams
LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
Rascal Flatts
LOSER LIKE ME
Glee Cast
LOVE LOCKDOWN
Kanye West
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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.