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.
YOU SHOULD BE DANCING
Bee Gees
ANGEL EYES
ABBA
A Winter's Tale
David Essex
BEMBA COLORÁ
Celia Cruz
COLD LITTLE HEART
Michael Kiwanuka
COME OUT AND PLAY
The Offspring
DON'T FORGET TO REMEMBER
Bee Gees
DON'T IT MAKE MY BROWN EYES BLUE
Crystal Gayle
EXHALE
Whitney Houston
FIXING A HOLE
The Beatles
FRANK MILLS
Sonja Kristina
GOLD
Imagine Dragons
HELLO DARLIN'
Conway Twitty
HIS EYE IS ON THE SPARROW
Mahalia Jackson
I LOVE A RAINY NIGHT
Eddie Rabbitt
IN CHRIST ALONE
Keith & Kristyn Getty
IT'S NOT FOR ME TO SAY
Johnny Mathis
LADY
Lionel Richie
LADY SINGS THE BLUES
Billie Holiday
Like A Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan
LIKE A ROLLING STONE
Bob Dylan
LIVIN' THING
Electric Light Orchestra
LOVE IS LIKE A BUTTERFLY
Dolly Parton
MONEY
Pink Floyd
MORE OF YOU
Chris Stapleton
PRESENCE
Newsboys
REVIVE ME
Jeremy Camp
SPANISH HARLEM
Ben E. King
Stone in Love
Journey
STRAY CAT STRUT
Stray Cats
TELEPHONE SONG
Stan Getz
TOUCH THE HAND OF LOVE
Blossom Dearie
TUXEDO JUNCTION
Glenn Miller
WE
Neil Diamond
WHAT DOES IT TAKE
Junior Walker & The All-Stars
WHEN I THINK OF YOU
Janet Jackson
WHO KNOWS WHERE THE TIME GOES
Judy Collins
YOU'RE A MEAN ONE, MISTER GRINCH
Glee Cast
ADORE
Chris Tomlin
AIN'T EVEN DONE WITH THE NIGHT
John Mellencamp
AIN'T THAT PECULIAR
Marvin Gaye
BLUE CHRISTMAS
Lady A
CHATTAHOOCHEE
Alan Jackson
DAYDREAM
The Lovin' Spoonful
DAYS OF WINE AND ROSES
Henry Mancini
DON'T PANIC
Coldplay
Empire State Of Mind
Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys
FOR THOSE TEARS I DIED
Children Of The Day
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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.