Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Mama Roux on piano
By Dr. John
- C major
- 4/4
- 125 BPM
- 1967
- Easy
Learn Mama Roux in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: D – Fm – C7 – D
Mama Roux sits in C major: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: D is D, F# and A; Fm is F, Ab and C; C7 is C, E, G and Bb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
DIIFmivC7I7DII- DD · F# · A
- FmF · Ab · C
- C7C · E · G · Bb
- 2
Left hand: Hop-skip heartbeat
Three steps, then a quick hop that skips right over beat 4. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 250 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Eager chords
Jumps in early before beat 3, like the chords can’t wait. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 4
Both hands at 125 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 – G – C
The last chords are IV – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
FGC- FF · A · C
- GG · B · D
- CC · E · G
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Questions about Mama Roux
What chords are in Mama Roux?
The loop is D – Fm – C7 – D (II – iv – I7 – II) in C major, and the song ends on F – G – C.
What key is Mama Roux in?
C major, at about 125 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Mama Roux?
Hop-skip heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2 · 3 · 3& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mama Roux 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.