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.
RATTLED
The Traveling Wilburys
REDNECK YACHT CLUB
Craig Morgan
ROUSTABOUT
Elvis Presley
RUNNING WITH THE NIGHT
Lionel Richie
SALVATION IS HERE
Lincoln Brewster
SHOULD'VE SAID NO
Taylor Swift
SHOW ME THE WAY
Peter Frampton
SOULMATE
Natasha Bedingfield
STEAL MY KISSES
Ben Harper And The Innocent Criminals
TAKE THE LONG WAY HOME
Supertramp
THE BRIDGE
Elton John
The Power Of Love
Celine Dion
The Power Of Love
Gabrielle Aplin
THERE IS A REASON
Alison Krauss
THE SOLID ROCK
Charlie Hall
THE WAY YOU MOVE
OutKast
TILL THE WORLD ENDS
Britney Spears
TO ALL THE GIRLS I'VE LOVED BEFORE
Julio Iglesias & Willie Nelson
TURN TO STONE
Electric Light Orchestra
TURTLE BLUES
Janis Joplin
TWILIGHT ZONE
Golden Earring
WATERLOO
ABBA
WEATHER WITH YOU
Crowded House
WHITE HORSE
Taylor Swift
WHY CAN'T WE BE FRIENDS?
War
WILD WORLD
Cat Stevens
WILL YOU LOVE ME TOMORROW
Amy Winehouse
YOU ARE GOOD
Lincoln Brewster
YOU ARE MINE
Third Day
ALL RIGHT NOW
Free
ALL WE KNOW
The Chainsmokers
A MAN NEEDS A MAID
Neil Young
A THOUSAND MILES FROM NOWHERE
Dwight Yoakam
BAKER STREET
Gerry Rafferty
BEGIN AGAIN
Taylor Swift
CAN'T GET ENOUGH
Bad Company
CECILIA
Simon & Garfunkel
COME A LITTLE CLOSER
Dierks Bentley
CONTAGIOUS
Avril Lavigne
DON'T LET IT END
Styx
DON'T STAND SO CLOSE TO ME
The Police
DRIVE
The Cars
DUDE
Aerosmith
EL CONDOR PASA
Simon & Garfunkel
EMBRACE THE CROSS
Steve Green
EMPTY ME
Jeremy Camp
FROM ME TO YOU
The Beatles
GET ALONG
Kenny Chesney
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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.