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.
MANDOLIN RAIN
Bruce Hornsby
Mr. Curiosity
Jason Mraz
NEON MOON
Brooks & Dunn
O, AMERICA!
Celtic Woman
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel
David Crowder Band
ONE MORE NIGHT
Maroon 5
One Sweet Love
Sara Bareilles
RAMBLIN' ON MY MIND
Robert Johnson
RESPECT
Aretha Franklin
SAY IT AIN'T SO
Weezer
SHE'S EVERYTHING
Brad Paisley
SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO
The Clash
SISTERS ARE DOING IT FOR THEMSELVES
Eurythmics
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing
Jack Johnson
SOBER
P!nk
SOMEWHERE OUT THERE
Linda Ronstadt & James Ingram
STILL CRAZY AFTER ALL THESE YEARS
Simon & Garfunkel
SWEET FREEDOM
Michael McDonald
THE A TEAM
Ed Sheeran
THE BEST YEARS OF MY LIFE
Diana Ross
THE SOUND OF SILENCE
Pentatonix
THE TROUBLE WITH LOVE IS
Kelly Clarkson
TO BE WITH YOU
Mr. Big
UNDERNEATH IT ALL
No Doubt
UNDER PRESSURE
Queen & David Bowie
WHAT YA WANT FROM ME
Adam Lambert
WHERE DOES MY HEART BEAT NOW
Celine Dion
WHEREVER I GO
One Republic
WHO YOU LOVE
John Mayer featuring Katy Perry
YOUR CROWNING GLORY
Julie Andrews and Raven Symone
101
Alicia Keys
ANGELS WE HAVE HEARD ON HIGH
Josh Groban
ANGELS WISH
Steven Curtis Chapman
AS
Stevie Wonder
BARCELONA
Ed Sheeran
BE OUR GUEST
Alan Menken & Howard Ashman
CATCH MY BREATH
Kelly Clarkson
Chuck E's in Love
Rickie Lee Jones
DIE A HAPPY MAN
Thomas Rhett
EVERYBODY HURTS
Avril Lavigne
EVERY LITTLE BIT HURTS
Alicia Keys
FALL AT YOUR FEET
Crowded House
FINALLY
Fergie
FLY AWAY
Lenny Kravitz
FROM HERE TO THE MOON AND BACK
Dolly Parton
Get Here
Oleta Adams
GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME
Billy Joel
GOD LOVE HER
Toby Keith
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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.