Piano Songs with Octave Bass
2,110 songs — Octave bass — the left hand plays the same note one or two octaves apart, alternating or simultaneously — gives songs a powerful, anthemic feel. Common in rock ballads, pop power-songs, and dramatic accompaniment.
How octave bass works
Octave bass pattern: LH plays a root note + the same note an octave below or above, either alternating (boom-boom) or together (block octaves). Builds energy through register width without changing harmony.
LUCIFER
Alan Parsons Project
LITTLE MARTHA
Allman Brothers Band
Soon And Very Soon
Andrae Crouch
SUBURBIA
Trombone Shorty
YAKETY SAX
Boots Randolph
BABY BOY
Beyonce
Sing
Ed Sheeran
Thank You
Keith Urban
Holy Ground
Geron Davis
NINE TO FIVE
Dolly Parton
Better Is One Day
Matt Redman
HAWAII FIVE-O THEME
The Ventures
SOUL LIMBO
Booker T. & The MG's
Did You Get My Message?
Jason Mraz
HAPPY
Pharrell Williams
Carried To The Table
Leeland
Colder Weather
Zac Brown Band
DESERT ROSE
Sting
DO WHAT U WANT
Lady Gaga
Made To Worship
Chris Tomlin
RUN, FREEDOM, RUN!
Urinetown (Musical)
SING
Pentatonix
TURN OFF THE LIGHT
Nelly Furtado
2 the Sky
Robin Thicke
BEFORE THE STORM
Jonas Brothers featuring Miley Cyrus
FEELINGS
Il Divo
I CAN'T GET NEXT TO YOU
Al Green
1000 TIMES
Sara Bareilles
I SMILE
Kirk Franklin
THE GODFATHER MAZURKA
Carmen Coppola
WAITING FOR THE END
Linkin Park
ABC
Glee Cast
DIE FOR YOU
The Weeknd
EYES WITHOUT A FACE
Billy Idol
FOREVER
Mariah Carey
Glory In The Highest
Chris Tomlin
HE'S EVERYTHING
Dolly Parton
JUST LIKE JESSE JAMES
Cher
Monsoon
Jack Johnson
SING
Ed Sheeran
SIRIUS
Alan Parsons Project
Thank God I'm a Country Boy
John Denver
U REMIND ME
Usher
DON'T BE THE BUNNY
Urinetown (Musical)
LOVE OF A LIFETIME
Firehouse
LOVE ON TOP
Beyoncé
RESENTMENT
Beyonce
SCENES FROM AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT
Billy Joel
Page 1 of 44 · 2,110 octave bass songs
Frequently asked questions
- What is octave bass in piano?
- Octave bass is a left-hand technique where you play the same note in two octaves — typically the chord root plus its lower octave. Creates a fuller, more powerful sound than a single bass note.
- Is octave bass hard to play?
- For intermediate players, no — most adult hands span an octave comfortably. Children or smaller hands may need to roll the octave (play the lower note slightly before the upper).
- Which songs use octave bass?
- Rock ballads like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" and many Coldplay songs use octave bass extensively. Browse the list above for ~2,000 examples in our catalog.