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.
THAT SUNDAY, THAT SUMMER
Nat "King" Cole
THE DEVIL WENT DOWN TO GEORGIA
Charlie Daniels Band
THE GREATEST MAN I NEVER KNEW
Reba McEntire
THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD
The Beatles
THE LOOK OF LOVE
Diana Krall
THE THIRD MAN THEME
Anton Karas
THE WORLD WE KNEW
Frank Sinatra
Think Positive
Leslie Bricusse
THREE LITTLE BIRDS
Bob Marley
TIED TOGETHER WITH A SMILE
Taylor Swift
UP ON CRIPPLE CREEK
The Band
WAIT FOR YOU
Elliott Yamin
WORD UP
Cameo
WORLD
Five For Fighting
YOU'RE THE LION OF JUDAH
Robin Mark
A LITTLE TOO LATE
Toby Keith
ALLEGHENY MOON
Patti Page
ANYTHING BUT MINE
Kenny Chesney
ANY WAY YOU WANT IT
Journey
Auf Uns
Andreas Bourani
BACK IN THE HIGH LIFE AGAIN
Steve Winwood
BLAME IT ON THE BOSSA NOVA
Eydie Gorme
BLESSED REDEEMER
Casting Crowns
COME IN FROM THE RAIN
Captain & Tennille
DANGEROUS
Kardinal Offishall featuring Akon
DON'T LET ME DOWN
The Beatles
EARTH ANGEL
The Crew-Cuts
FATHER'S EYES
Amy Grant
GEE WHIZ, IT'S CHRISTMAS
Carla Thomas
GOOD TIMES ROLL
The Cars
HARPER VALLEY P.T.A.
Jeannie C. Riley
HEALER
Kari Jobe
HEAR MY CALL
Jill Scott
HELLA GOOD
No Doubt
HOLDING HANDS
Steve Green
I'LL HAVE TO SAY I LOVE YOU IN A SONG
Jim Croce
IMMORTALITY
Pearl Jam
IN BLOOM
Nirvana
I SHOT THE SHERIFF
Eric Clapton
IS THIS LOVE
Bob Marley
IT'S JUST A MATTER OF TIME
Brook Benton
I'VE NEVER FOUND A GIRL
Eddie Floyd
I WILL FOLLOW HIM
Little Peggy March
JUDY
Elvis Presley
K-K-K-KATY
Geoffrey O'Hara
KNOWN
Tauren Wells
LAY DOWN
Melanie
LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS/ 'TIS SO SWEET TO TRUST IN JESUS
David Crowder Band
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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.