Padam Padam Piano Chords & Patterns

Learn Padam Padam in 5 steps

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

1
Chords: C – Gm – C – Gm
How it goes
Padam Padam sits in C minor: C is home, where the song ends. It goes round 4 chords: C is C, E and G; Gm is G, Bb and D. Play each one as a block with your right hand until the changes feel easy.
CIGmvCIGmv
- CC · E · G
- GmG · Bb · D
28 songs go round the same chords
2
Left hand: Oom-pah-pah
How it goes
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 chords
How it goes
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 114 BPM
How it goes
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: Ab – Bb – Cm
How it goes
The last chords are bVI – bVII – i, then one chord rolled from the bottom up, left to ring.
AbBbCm
- AbAb · C · Eb
- BbBb · D · F
- CmC · Eb · G

What chords are in Padam Padam?

The loop is C – Gm – C – Gm (I – v – I – v) in C minor, and the song ends on Ab – Bb – Cm.

What key is Padam Padam in?

C minor, at about 114 beats a minute in 3/4.

What does the left hand play in Padam Padam?

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

Is Padam Padam 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.