What key is "Mama Says" in?

"Mama Says" by Dean Pitchford is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 88 BPM. Difficulty: medium.

Is "Mama Says" easy to play on piano?

This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.

Can I play "Mama Says" without reading sheet music?

Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.

What chords are used in "Mama Says"?

This arrangement of "Mama Says" uses 29 chords: A7, Ab, Ab6, Ab7, Abm, Adim, Adim7, Am7, +21 more.

How long does it take to learn "Mama Says" on piano?

2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.

What other songs by Dean Pitchford can I play here?

Try "LEARNING TO BE SILENT", "HEAVEN HELP ME", "THE GIRL GETS AROUND". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.

Lyrics

(Eb)Ev ’ry thing I (Ab)ev er (Eb)learned that (Ab)gets me (Db)through the worst,

I (Bb7sus)learned at my (Bb7)ma ma’s (Ab7)knee.

Now an y time I’m (Ab)turned a (Eb)round I (G)turn to Ma ma (C7)first, and (Fm7)you’d be wise to (Eb)mem o rize what (Ab)Ma ma says to me.

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t use a toast er while (Adim)stand ing in the show er.

Now who can ar gue with that?

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t hold your breath y thing for (Adim)long er than an ho ur.

Is she an a knows whiz or it’s what?

at!

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (Eb)mat ter if you’re a king

(Ab6)or you’re a (Eb)clown.

(Ab)Once (Adim7)you (Eb)drive up (G7)a (Cm)moun tain,

you (Ab)can’t back (Eb7)down.

Ma ma (Eb7)says don’t drink hot cof fee while (Adim)ly ing down in bed.

er.

Don’t e ven give it a thought.

Ma ma (Eb7)says nev er eat breath y thing that’s (Adim)big ger than your head.

ur.

Is she an a knows whiz or it’s what?

at!

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (Eb)mat ter if you’re a king

(Ab6)or you’re a (Eb)clown.

(Ab)Once (Adim7)you (Eb)drive up (G7)a (Cm)moun tain,

you (Ab)can’t back (Eb7)down.

Ma ma (Eb)down.

(Cm)Ma ma makes a lot ta sense, if (G7)you know how to lis ten.

She is (Ab)clear and con cise.

(Cm)Dad dy says, “I love her, Son, but (G7)she’s got mar bles miss in’.” But (Ab)I say, “Hey!

It’s (Adim7)free ad vice,

and what d’ you ex pect at that (Gm7)price?”

Ma ma (F)says what you be lieve in is (Fdim)all you real ly own,

and I be lieve that she’s (F)right.

Ma ma (F)says if you’ve got (A)doubts, (A7)well then, (Dm)boy, you’re (Dm)not a lone.

Just means you’re read y to (C7)fight.

And Ma ma says

it does n’t (F)mat ter

if you’re a (Bb)king or you’re (Bb)a (F)clown.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up (A7)a (Dm)moun tain,

you (Bb)can’t back (F)down.

You can (Bb)turn up the heat, you can (Bdim7)turn up the road, you can (F)car ry a beat, you can (D)car ry a load, you can throw a fit, you can throw a punch, you can (C7)bring up a (Bb)child, you can (C)bring up your (C7)lunch!

Ma ma says

it does n’t (F)mat ter

if you (Bb)drive a hard bar gain or drive a round town.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up (A7)a (Dm)moun tain,

you (Bb)can’t back (Am7)down.

(Bb)Once (Bdim7)you (F)drive up a moun tain, you (G7)can’t

(C7)back

(F)down!

Mama Says by Dean Pitchford

3 people have learned this song

Easy piano arrangement in the key of Ab at 88 BPM. Difficulty: medium. Color-coded notes — no sheet-reading skill required.

About “Mama Says”

What key is "Mama Says" in?: "Mama Says" by Dean Pitchford is in the key of Ab with a tempo of 88 BPM. Difficulty: medium.
Is "Mama Says" easy to play on piano?: This arrangement is rated medium. It requires comfort with chord shapes and basic hand independence. Expect 1-2 weeks of regular practice for a confident performance.
Can I play "Mama Says" without reading sheet music?: Yes. Our player offers a falling-notes mode (Synthesia-style) and a beginner mode with color-coded keys — both let you play along without reading traditional notation.
What chords are used in "Mama Says"?: This arrangement of "Mama Says" uses 29 chords: A7, Ab, Ab6, Ab7, Abm, Adim, Adim7, Am7, +21 more.
How long does it take to learn "Mama Says" on piano?: 2–4 weeks of consistent practice (20–30 min/day) for an intermediate player. Drill the tricky passages in isolation first.
What other songs by Dean Pitchford can I play here?: Try "LEARNING TO BE SILENT", "HEAVEN HELP ME", "THE GIRL GETS AROUND". All are available in our player with color-coded notes; pick the one matching your level.