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.
GLORIA
Laura Brannigan
GOODNIGHT SAIGON
Billy Joel
HEAVEN'S HERE ON EARTH
Tracy Chapman
HEY PRETTY GIRL
Kip Moore
HOT STUFF
Donna Summer
HYMN TO HER
The Pretenders
IF WE ARE THE BODY
Casting Crowns
I'LL CRY INSTEAD
The Beatles
I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN
Bacharach & David
I MELT WITH YOU
Modern English
INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS
Strawberry Alarm Clock
IN THE NAVY
Village People
I REMEMBER HER
Ingrid Michaelson
IT'S AMERICA
Rodney Atkins
KEEP ON LOVING YOU
REO Speedwagon
Layla
Eric Clapton
LET 'EM IN
Paul McCartney & Wings
LET HER GO
Passenger
LONELY TEARDROPS
Jackie Wilson
MAMA WHO BORE ME
Duncan Sheik
Musik Sein
Wincent Weiss
MY LIFE
Billy Joel
NIGHT FEVER
Bee Gees
NIGHTSHIFT
The Commodores
NOT IN THAT WAY
Sam Smith
Old Time Rock & Roll
Bob Seger
ONE BOY, ONE GIRL
Collin Raye
ORPHAN GIRL
Emmylou Harris
OUT OF MY HEART
BBMak
PASSIONATE KISSES
Mary Chapin Carpenter
PYRO
Kings Of Leon
Rhinestone Cowboy
Glen Campbell
RIKKI DON'T LOSE THAT NUMBER
Steely Dan
RISE AGAIN
Dallas Holm
RUNNIN' WITH THE DEVIL
Van Halen
Secret Love
JoJo
SEVEN DAYS
Sting
SPACE ODDITY
David Bowie
SWEPT AWAY
The Avett Brothers
TESTIFY
NEEDTOBREATHE
THAT'S MY KIND OF NIGHT
Luke Bryan
THAT'S THE WAY I'VE ALWAYS HEARD IT SHOULD BE
Carly Simon
THE DUTCHMAN
Celtic Thunder
THE GIRL IN THE OTHER ROOM
Diana Krall
THERE IS A HIGHER THRONE
Keith & Kristyn Getty
THE REST OF MY LIFE
Bruno Mars
THE SCIENTIST
Coldplay
THIS TIME I KNOW IT'S FOR REAL
Donna Summer
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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.