Piano chords · Waltz garden

How to play Big Mamou on piano

Written by Link Davis & Macy Lela Henry

Tuning the piano…

Learn it

Learn Big Mamou in 5 steps

The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.

1
Chords: G7 – F – G7 – F
Big Mamou sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: G7 is G, B, D and F; F is F, A and C. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
G7V7FIVG7V7FIV
- G7G · B · D · F
- FF · A · C
2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
One strong beat and two light ones: a dance in three. Musicians call it waltz oom-pah-pah (waltz), an easy pattern heard in 526 songs of the library.
Oom-pah-pahWaltz · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Waltz bells
A single high note, then two chords: ding, dong, dong in three. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz bellsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 120 BPM
Put the two hands together over the loop. Start at half speed with the player's speed control, and bring it up once every change is easy.
5
Ending: F – G7 – C
The last chords are IV – V7 – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FG7C
- CC · E · G

What chords are in Big Mamou?

The loop is G7 – F – G7 – F (V7 – IV – V7 – IV) in C major, and the song ends on F – G7 – C.

What key is Big Mamou in?

C major, at about 120 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Big Mamou?

Oom-pah-pah: waltz oom-pah-pah, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Big Mamou easy to play on piano?

Yes. Both hands play easy patterns over 4 chords. Learn the chords first, then add one hand at a time.

Made from one arrangement of this song: the left and right hands are the patterns these scores repeat most.