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.
BROOKLYN BABY
Lana Del Rey
CHERISH
Madonna
CHERISH THE TREASURE
Steve Green
CLEOPATRA
The Lumineers
C'MON MARIANNE
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
COME AND GET IT
Badfinger
Come Back Down
Lifehouse
COME ON EILEEN
Dexy's Midnight Runners
CRY TO ME
Professor Longhair
CUPID
112
DON'T BLINK
Kenny Chesney
DRIVE BY
Train
FALLEN ANGEL
Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons
FUNKYTOWN
Lipps Inc.
GET LUCKY
Daft Punk
GOD AND GOD ALONE
Steve Green
GYPSY
Lady Gaga
HIGH HOPES
Panic! At The Disco
I DON'T LIKE MONDAYS
The Boomtown Rats
IF I RULED THE WORLD
Jamie Cullum
IT WILL RAIN
Bruno Mars
JESUS, LIGHT OF THE WORLD
Third Day
JUST BE HELD
Casting Crowns
JUST LIKE A PILL
P!nk
LOST IN MY MIND
The Head And The Heart
LOVE OF MY LIFE
Erykah Badu
MIDDLE OF THE ROAD
The Pretenders
NEVER BE ALONE
Shawn Mendes
OUT OF THE WOODS
Taylor Swift
PIECE OF ME
Britney Spears
PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
Casting Crowns
RAINBOW
Kacey Musgraves
RETURN TO INNOCENCE
Enigma
ROYALS
Lorde
SANDCASTLES
Beyoncé
SEE YOU AGAIN
Carrie Underwood
ST. ELMO'S FIRE
John Parr
THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Queen
THINGS I'LL NEVER SAY
Avril Lavigne
THIS IS HOW WE ROLL
Florida Georgia Line featuring Luke Bryan
WHY NOT
Hilary Duff
YOUNG AMERICANS
David Bowie
AIN'T NO WAY
Glee Cast
ALL TOO WELL
Taylor Swift
BIGGER THAN US
Hannah Montana
BLEEDING LOVE
Leona Lewis
BODY & SOUL
Anita Baker
BOO'D UP
Ella Mai
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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.