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.
MUD ON THE TIRES
Brad Paisley
MY OLD FRIEND
Tim McGraw
Never
Heart
Never Once
Matt Redman
New York, New York
Frank Sinatra
ONE MORE FOR LOVE
Five For Fighting
Pompeii
Bastille
PRAYED FOR YOU
Matt Stell
REACHIN' FOR HEAVEN
Diana DeGarmo
RHYTHM OF MY HEART
Rod Stewart
SAD GIRL
Lana Del Rey
SCARS
I Am They
SCARS TO YOUR BEAUTIFUL
Alessia Cara
SMALL BUMP
Ed Sheeran
SOUL SHINE
Allman Brothers Band
STARS
Switchfoot
STAY THE NIGHT
Mariah Carey
STEAL MY GIRL
One Direction
Stop This Train
John Mayer
STRANGERS LIKE ME
Phil Collins
TAINTED LOVE
Soft Cell
TAKE IT EASY
Eagles
THE BOY IS MINE
Brandy & Monica
The Journey
Julie Gold
THE NIGHT THE PUGILIST LEARNED HOW TO DANCE
Sting
THESE ARE THE DAYS
Jamie Cullum
TO BE HUMAN
Sia feat. Labrinth
TROUBLE
P!nk
UNDO IT
Carrie Underwood
UP, UP AND AWAY
The Fifth Dimension
U & UR HAND
P!nk
VIDEO
India.Arie
WATERFALLS
TLC
WHAT A GLORIOUS NIGHT
Sidewalk Prophets
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT
Tina Turner
When You Love a Woman
Journey
WORK TO DO
The Isley Brothers
YEAH 3X
Chris Brown
YOU DON'T MESS AROUND WITH JIM
Jim Croce
YOU LIE
The Band Perry
YOUR LOVE NEVER FAILS
Jesus Culture
21 GUNS
Green Day
Africa
Toto
AIN'T NO WAY TO TREAT A LADY
Helen Reddy
ALL SUMMER LONG
Kid Rock
A MATTER OF TRUST
Billy Joel
BABY GRAND
Billy Joel
BABY I'M A STAR
Prince
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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.