Piano chords · Blues & boogie
How to play Mama (Mamma) on piano
By Jerry Vale
- Eb major
- 2/2
- 90 BPM
- 1941
- Easy
Learn Mama (Mamma) in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Abm – Fm – Ebm – Cb7
Mama (Mamma) sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Abm is Ab, Cb and Eb; Fm is F, Ab and C; Ebm is Eb, Gb and Bb; Cb7 is Cb, Eb, Gb and Bbb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
AbmivFmiiEbmiCb7bVI7- AbmAb · Cb · Eb
- FmF · Ab · C
- EbmEb · Gb · Bb
- Cb7Cb · Eb · Gb · Bbb
- 2
Left hand: Jazz walk
One note per beat, strolling like a jazz bassist. Musicians call it walking bass (walking bass), an easy pattern heard in thousands of songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: the chords, held
In this song the right hand mostly plays the tune itself. Hold the chords lightly, or play the melody over the left hand.
- 4
Both hands at 90 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: Eb – Abm – Eb
The last chords are I – iv – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbAbmEb- EbEb · G · Bb
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Questions about Mama (Mamma)
What chords are in Mama (Mamma)?
The loop is Abm – Fm – Ebm – Cb7 (iv – ii – i – bVI7) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Abm – Eb.
What key is Mama (Mamma) in?
Eb major, at about 90 beats a minute in 2/2.
What does the left hand play in Mama (Mamma)?
Jazz walk: walking bass, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mama (Mamma) 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.