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.
THIS KISS
Faith Hill
THROWING IT ALL AWAY
Genesis
TRY JAH LOVE
Third World
Vultures
John Mayer
WALKIN' BLUES
Robert Johnson
WE FIND LOVE
Daniel Caesar
Welcome to Wonderland
Frank Wildhorn
WITHOUT ME
Halsey
All Creatures Of Our God And King
David Crowder
BIBIA BE YE YE
Ed Sheeran
BLAME IT
Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
BRAND NEW DAY
Demi Lovato
BUST YOUR WINDOWS
Jazmine Sullivan
CALL OUT MY NAME
The Weeknd
CANDY GIRL
New Edition
CARELESS WHISPER
George Michael
COME ON GET HIGHER
Matt Nathanson
CRASH INTO ME
Dave Matthews Band
FUNERAL
Lukas Graham
GALILEO
Josh Groban
GALWAY GIRL
Ed Sheeran
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Stevie Wonder
HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO LIVE WITHOUT YOU
Michael Bolton
I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE
Marvin Gaye
IKO IKO
Dr. John
KISS FROM A ROSE
Seal
LOVE IN VAIN BLUES
Robert Johnson
LOVE ME NOW
John Legend
NOBODY KNOWS
P!nk
ON THE OTHER SIDE
Dailey & Vincent
RIDE
Twenty One Pilots
Slow Dancing in a Burning Room
John Mayer
Someday
Matthew Sklar
Still Crazy After All These Years
Paul Simon
STUCK ON YOU
Lionel Richie
THE RIGHT STUFF
New Kids On The Block
THE SECRET LIFE OF PLANTS
Stevie Wonder
THESE FOUR WALLS
Miley Cyrus
TI AMERÒ
Il Divo
TO WHERE YOU ARE
Josh Groban
UNCLE JOHN'S BAND
Grateful Dead
UNDER PRESSURE
David Bowie
VINDICATED
Dashboard Confessional
19 YOU + ME
Dan + Shay
All at Once
Jack Johnson
ATTENTION
Charlie Puth
Basket Case
Sara Bareilles
CIRCLES
Mariah Carey
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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.