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.
WANT U BACK
Cher Lloyd
WAVIN' FLAG
K'naan
WHO KNOWS
Avril Lavigne
WHO OWNS MY HEART
Miley Cyrus
WORDS I COULDN'T SAY
Rascal Flatts
WOULDN'T IT BE NICE
The Beach Boys
YOU'RE ALL I NEED TO GET BY
Marvin Gaye
YOUR NAME
Paul Baloche
19 SOMETHIN'
Mark Wills
AFRICA
Toto
AIN'T NOTHING LIKE THE REAL THING
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
ANGEL IN BLUE JEANS
Train
ARLINGTON
Trace Adkins
Ave Maria
Beyonce
BACK IN BLACK
AC/DC
BEAUTIFUL NOISE
Neil Diamond
BELLYACHE
Billie Eilish
BETTER IS ONE DAY
Matt Redman
BOYFRIEND
Justin Bieber
BRINGIN' ON THE HEARTBREAK
Def Leppard
CALL ME MAYBE
Carly Rae Jepsen
CIEGA SORDOMUDA
Shakira
COCONUT
Harry Nilsson
COMPASS
Lady A
DARK SIDE
Kelly Clarkson
DEVIL WITH THE BLUE DRESS
Mitch Ryder
DO I EVER CROSS YOUR MIND
Dolly Parton
DREAMS TO DREAM
Linda Ronstadt
DRIVIN' MY LIFE AWAY
Eddie Rabbitt
Everybody Hurts
R.E.M.
EV'RYBODY'S SOMEBODY'S FOOL
Connie Francis
FEELS LIKE TONIGHT
Daughtry
GETTING BETTER
The Beatles
GOOD DIRECTIONS
Billy Currington
HEATHENS
Twenty One Pilots
HELL IS FOR CHILDREN
Pat Benatar
HOLD MY HEART
Tenth Avenue North
HOME SWEET HOME
Motley Crue
How Long Will I Love You
Ellie Goulding
HUSTLE
P!nk
IN MY HEAD
Jason Derulo
INNOCENCE
Avril Lavigne
IS THIS LOVE
Whitesnake
JESUS LOVES ME
Chris Tomlin
LAND OF A THOUSAND DANCES
Wilson Pickett
LIFESONG
Casting Crowns
LIVING AND LIVING WELL
George Strait
LOVE ME
Justin Bieber
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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.