Piano chords · Pop heartbeat
How to play Mama Says on piano
Artist unknown
- Eb major
- 4/4
- 88 BPM
- Easy
Learn Mama Says in 5 steps
The chords first, then one hand at a time. Each step plays in the player above.
- 1
Chords: Eb – G7 – Cm – F7
Mama Says sits in Eb major: Eb is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: Eb is Eb, G and Bb; G7 is G, B, D and F; Cm is C, Eb and G; F7 is F, A, C and Eb. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
EbIG7III7CmviF7II7- EbEb · G · Bb
- G7G · B · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G
- F7F · A · C · Eb
- 2
Left hand: Sneaky heartbeat
One strong note, then two sneaky ones hiding between the beats. Musicians call it root bass · 1 · 2& · 4& (root bass rhythm), an easy pattern heard in 436 songs of the library.
- 3
Right hand: Steady chords
A full chord on every beat, steady and simple. It moves with the chords, so it fits every bar of the loop.
- 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: Eb – Bb – Eb
The last chords are I – V – I, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
EbBbEb- BbBb · D · F
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Questions about Mama Says
What chords are in Mama Says?
The loop is Eb – G7 – Cm – F7 (I – III7 – vi – II7) in Eb major, and the song ends on Eb – Bb – Eb.
What key is Mama Says in?
Eb major, at about 88 beats a minute in 4/4.
What does the left hand play in Mama Says?
Sneaky heartbeat: root bass · 1 · 2& · 4&, an easy pattern. It follows the chords, so the same shape works for every bar.
Is Mama Says 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.