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.
HIGH NOON
Tex Ritter
HISTORY
One Direction
HONEY DON'T
The Beatles
HOW COULD YOU BELIEVE ME WHEN I SAID I LOVE YOU WHEN YOU KNOW I'VE BEEN A LIAR ALL MY LIFE?
Alan Jay Lerner
I CAN'T STOP LOVING YOU
Conway Twitty
IF I KNEW
Bruno Mars
IF YOU SAY SO
Lea Michele
I HAVE THIS HOPE
Tenth Avenue North
I JUST CALLED TO SAY I LOVE YOU
Stevie Wonder
I LIFT MY HANDS
Chris Tomlin
I'LL BE THERE
The Jackson 5
I'M GONNA MAKE YOU LOVE ME
The Temptations
IN YOUR EYES
Peter Gabriel
(Is This The Way To) Amarillo
Tony Christie
IT'S CHRISTMAS TIME ALL OVER THE WORLD
Hugh Martin
JAINY
Five For Fighting
JOY TO THE WORLD
Casting Crowns
KINDLY UNSPOKEN
Kate Voegele
LOST
Frank Ocean
MARRY ME
Train
MATRIMONY
Gilbert O'Sullivan
MISERY
Maroon 5
MY HEAVEN
Mary Chapin Carpenter
MY TRIBUTE
Andrae Crouch
NOBODY'S PERFECT
Hannah Montana
NO PROMISES
Cheat Codes feat. Demi Lovato
PLEASE COME TO BOSTON
Dave Loggins
POETRY MAN
Phoebe Snow
RHYTHM NATION
Janet Jackson
SEARCHIN'
The Coasters
SOLO POR TI
Josh Groban
SOUL AND INSPIRATION
The Righteous Brothers
STUCK LIKE GLUE
Sugarland
SUMMER IN THE CITY
The Lovin' Spoonful
SUNDAY GIRL
Blondie
TELL ME WHY
Taylor Swift
THAT'S WHAT I LOVE ABOUT SUNDAY
Craig Morgan
THE FORGOTTEN
Green Day
THE MAN WHO NEVER LIED
Maroon 5
THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Steven Curtis Chapman
THERE'S A PLACE FOR US
Carrie Underwood
THINKIN' 'BOUT YOU
Frank Ocean
THIS LOVE
Maroon 5
TURN ME ON
Kevin Lyttle
TWO HEARTS
Phil Collins
UNDERMINE
Hayden Panettiere and Charles Esten
WAIT FOR ME
Hall & Oates
WAKING UP IN VEGAS
Katy Perry
Page 21 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.