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.
MY BOO
Usher & Alicia Keys
NEVER TOO FAR
Mariah Carey
RIDIN' SOLO
Jason Derulo
SAVE ROCK AND ROLL
Fall Out Boy
She Don't Have to Know
John Legend
SOME NIGHTS
fun.
SOMEONE IN THE CROWD
Emma Stone, Callie Hernandez, Sonoya Mizuno & Jessica Rothe
SUMMER NIGHTS
Rascal Flatts
THNEEDVILLE
John Powell
UN-THINKABLE
Alicia Keys
YO (EXCUSE ME MISS)
Chris Brown
YOÜ AND I
Lady Gaga
BABE
Sugarland feat. Taylor Swift
CHILLIN' LIKE A VILLAIN
Adam Schmalholz
DESPACITO
Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
DO YOU BELIEVE IN MAGIC
The Lovin' Spoonful
FEBRUARY SONG
Josh Groban
Go Gentle
Robbie Williams
I SEE A VICTORY
Kim Burrell and Pharrell Williams
King of Anything
Sara Bareilles
LOCKED AWAY
R. City feat. Adam Levine
Not Alone
Sara Bareilles
Sweet Thing
Keith Urban
THROUGH THE FIRE
The Crabb Family
TIME WILL REVEAL
DeBarge
Uncharted
Sara Bareilles
WANT TO WANT ME
Jason Derulo
ALL THE STARS
Kendrick Lamar and SZA
CARRY ON
fun.
COLOURBLIND
Glee Cast featuring Amber Riley
CRACK ROCK
Frank Ocean
CROCODILE ROCK
Elton John
DIE IN YOUR ARMS
Justin Bieber
Dixie Chicken
Little Feat
FLAKE
Jack Johnson
Go On
Jack Johnson
I'd Be Delighted
Mindi Dickstein
I DON'T EVEN KNOW YOUR NAME
Shawn Mendes
I'LL NEVER LOVE THIS WAY AGAIN
Dionne Warwick
MEET IN THE MIDDLE
Diamond Rio
PERFECT ILLUSION
Lady Gaga
Pop!
Matthew Sklar
PRODIGAL
Casting Crowns
STRIP IT DOWN
Luke Bryan
TEQUILA
The Champs
TERRIFIED
Katharine McPhee
THE CHRISTMAS HOPE
Newsong
THNKS FR TH MMRS
Fall Out Boy
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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.