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.
AMERICAN RIDE
Toby Keith
AND NOW MY LIFESONG SINGS
Casting Crowns
ARABIAN NIGHTS
Alan Menken
ARTPOP
Lady Gaga
BEAUTIFUL
Carole King
CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS?
Frank Sinatra
CHOICES
George Jones
CHRIST IN ME
Jeremy Camp
COME, THOU FOUNT OF EVERY BLESSING
Jadon Lavik
CRUNCHY GRANOLA SUITE
Neil Diamond
DARK NECESSITIES
Red Hot Chili Peppers
DIRTY DEEDS DONE DIRT CHEAP
AC/DC
DON'T YOU WANNA STAY
Jason Aldean featuring Kelly Clarkson
EARLY AUTUMN
Woody Herman
EL PASO
Marty Robbins
FIRE
Jimi Hendrix
Fragile
Sting
God Is Able
Hillsong United
GOD'S NOT DEAD
Newsboys
GOD YOU REIGN
Lincoln Brewster
HATE ON ME
Jill Scott
HEAVEN AND HELL
Black Sabbath
HE REIGNS
Newsboys
HEY BROTHER
Avicii
HEY MAMA
David Guetta feat. Nicki Minaj & Afrojack
HIGHER LOVE
Steve Winwood
I CAN'T QUIT YOU BABY
Otis Rush
IF YOU LEAVE ME NOW
Chicago
I JUST WANNA LIVE
Good Charlotte
I MISS YOU
Beyoncé
I'M THE ONLY ONE
Melissa Etheridge
IT'S FIVE O'CLOCK SOMEWHERE
Alan Jackson
IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME
Billy Joel
I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND
The Beatles
I WILL FOLLOW
U2
I WISH IT WOULD RAIN
The Temptations
KEEP ME IN YOUR HEART
Warren Zevon
LOOK WHAT YOU'VE DONE
Jet
LOVE THE ONE YOU'RE WITH
The Isley Brothers
LOWDOWN
Boz Scaggs
MELODIES FROM HEAVEN
Kirk Franklin
NEW WORLD COMING
Mama Cass Elliot
NOBODY NOT REALLY
Alicia Keys
NOBODY'S CHILD
The Traveling Wilburys
NO ONE LIKE YOU
David Crowder Band
ONE CALL AWAY
Charlie Puth
PROMISES, PROMISES
Bacharach & David
PROMISES, PROMISES
Bacharach & David
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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.