Oom-pah
Encyclopedia
Oom-pah, Oompah or Umpapa is the rhythmical sound of a deep brass instrument
in a band
, a form of background ostinato
.
The oom-pah sound is usually made by the tuba
alternating between the root (tonic) of the chord
and the 5th (dominant) — this sound is said to be the oom. The pah is played on the off-beats by higher-pitched instruments such as the clarinet
, accordion
or trombone
. Oompah is often associated with Volkstümliche Musik
, a form of popular German music. It is often associated with polka
. In triple time genres such as the waltz
it is oom-pah-pah.
The musical Oliver!
contains a song named Oom-Pah-Pah
, which is named after the oom-pah.
A more modern variation is the playing of contemporary pop and rock songs in an Oompah style, dubbed "Oompop", by bands such as Oompah Brass (UK) and Global Kryner
(Austria).
The jam band Phish
play a song called "Harpua" in which begins with the band members singing "Oom-Pah-Pah" four times before the drums kick in. Referencing their song "Harpua," lead guitarist Trey Anastasio
one said, "This next song is a story...and as with all good stories, this story begins with an um-pa-pa."
Brass instrument
A brass instrument is a musical instrument whose sound is produced by sympathetic vibration of air in a tubular resonator in sympathy with the vibration of the player's lips...
in a band
Musical ensemble
A musical ensemble is a group of people who perform instrumental or vocal music. In classical music, trios or quartets either blend the sounds of musical instrument families or group together instruments from the same instrument family, such as string ensembles or wind ensembles...
, a form of background ostinato
Ostinato
In music, an ostinato is a motif or phrase, which is persistently repeated in the same musical voice. An ostinato is always a succession of equal sounds, wherein each note always has the same weight or stress. The repeating idea may be a rhythmic pattern, part of a tune, or a complete melody in...
.
The oom-pah sound is usually made by the tuba
Tuba
The tuba is the largest and lowest-pitched brass instrument. Sound is produced by vibrating or "buzzing" the lips into a large cupped mouthpiece. It is one of the most recent additions to the modern symphony orchestra, first appearing in the mid-19th century, when it largely replaced the...
alternating between the root (tonic) of the chord
Chord (music)
A chord in music is any harmonic set of two–three or more notes that is heard as if sounding simultaneously. These need not actually be played together: arpeggios and broken chords may for many practical and theoretical purposes be understood as chords...
and the 5th (dominant) — this sound is said to be the oom. The pah is played on the off-beats by higher-pitched instruments such as the clarinet
Clarinet
The clarinet is a musical instrument of woodwind type. The name derives from adding the suffix -et to the Italian word clarino , as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet. The instrument has an approximately cylindrical bore, and uses a single reed...
, accordion
Accordion
The accordion is a box-shaped musical instrument of the bellows-driven free-reed aerophone family, sometimes referred to as a squeezebox. A person who plays the accordion is called an accordionist....
or trombone
Trombone
The trombone is a musical instrument in the brass family. Like all brass instruments, sound is produced when the player’s vibrating lips cause the air column inside the instrument to vibrate...
. Oompah is often associated with Volkstümliche Musik
Volkstümliche Musik
Volkstümliche Musik is a modern variation on the traditional music of German-speaking countries in general and their Alpine regions in particular...
, a form of popular German music. It is often associated with polka
Polka
The polka is a Central European dance and also a genre of dance music familiar throughout Europe and the Americas. It originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia...
. In triple time genres such as the waltz
Waltz
The waltz is a ballroom and folk dance in time, performed primarily in closed position.- History :There are several references to a sliding or gliding dance,- a waltz, from the 16th century including the representations of the printer H.S. Beheim...
it is oom-pah-pah.
The musical Oliver!
Oliver!
Oliver! is a British musical, with script, music and lyrics by Lionel Bart. The musical is based upon the novel Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens....
contains a song named Oom-Pah-Pah
Oom-Pah-Pah (song)
"Oom-Pah-Pah" is a lively and somewhat risqué song from Lionel Bart's musical Oliver!, sung by Nancy and the crowd at the "Three Cripples" tavern. The word "oom-pah-pah" is seemingly used euphemistically to refer to both intoxication and fornication; however, as the song points out, the word's...
, which is named after the oom-pah.
A more modern variation is the playing of contemporary pop and rock songs in an Oompah style, dubbed "Oompop", by bands such as Oompah Brass (UK) and Global Kryner
Global Kryner
Global Kryner is a six-piece Austrian folk group, consisting of clarinet player Christof Spörk, bass trombonist, tenor and yodeller Sebastian Fuchsberger, guitarist Edi Koehldorfer, trumpet player Karl Rossmann, accordion player Anton Sauprügl, and jazz vocalist Sabine Stieger...
(Austria).
The jam band Phish
Phish
Phish is an American rock band noted for its musical improvisation, extended jams, and exploration of music across genres. Formed at the University of Vermont in 1983 , the band's four members – Trey Anastasio , Mike Gordon , Jon Fishman , and Page McConnell Phish is an American rock band...
play a song called "Harpua" in which begins with the band members singing "Oom-Pah-Pah" four times before the drums kick in. Referencing their song "Harpua," lead guitarist Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio
Trey Anastasio is an American guitarist, composer, and vocalist most noted for his work with the rock band Phish...
one said, "This next song is a story...and as with all good stories, this story begins with an um-pa-pa."