Mama, Look Sharp Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Mama, Look Sharp in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: Eb – Gb – Ab – Eb
Mama, Look Sharp sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; Gb is Gb, Bb and Db; Ab is Ab, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIGbbIIIAbIVEbI
- EbEb · G · Bb
- GbGb · Bb · Db
- AbAb · C · Eb
15 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Waltz ripple
A ripple of three notes in three-time. Musicians call it broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4) (broken chord), an easy pattern heard in 473 songs of the library.
Waltz rippleBroken chord · WaltzLeft handEasy
3
Right hand: Waltz chords
A chord on each of the three beats: a simple waltz. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
Waltz chordsBlock chords · WaltzRight handEasy
4
Both hands at 88 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: Db – Ab – Eb
The last chords are bVII – IV – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
DbAbEb
- DbDb · F · Ab

What chords are in Mama, Look Sharp?

The loop is Eb – Gb – Ab – Eb (I – bIII – IV – I) in Eb major, and the song ends on Db – Ab – Eb.

What key is Mama, Look Sharp in?

Eb major, at about 88 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Mama, Look Sharp?

Waltz ripple: broken chord 1-5-8 (3/4), an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.

Is Mama, Look Sharp 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.