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.
HURT SO BAD
Little Anthony & The Imperials
I LOVE YOU ALWAYS FOREVER
Donna Lewis
I'M A FOOL TO WANT YOU
Frank Sinatra
I'M SO EXCITED
The Pointer Sisters
INVISIBLE TOUCH
Genesis
ISLANDS IN THE STREAM
Bee Gees
IT'S A HARD LIFE WHEREVER YOU GO
Nanci Griffith
I WANNA BE YOUR LOVER
Prince
I WISH WE'D ALL BEEN READY
Larry Norman
KENTUCKY WOMAN
Neil Diamond
LA MARSEILLAISE
Claude Rouget de Lisle
Love Is All Around
Wet Wet Wet
LULLABY
Shawn Mullins
MORE
Usher
MUSIC TO MY EYES
Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper
MY MOON MY MAN
Feist
NEXT TO ME
Emeli Sande
NIGHTSWIMMING
R.E.M.
ONCE UPON A CHRISTMAS
Dolly Parton
One More Last Chance
Vince Gill
PANCHO AND LEFTY
Townes Van Zandt
PIECES OF APRIL
Three Dog Night
R.O.C.K. IN THE U.S.A.
John Mellencamp
SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND
The Beatles
SHE BANGS
Ricky Martin
SOMEBODY'S WATCHING ME
Rockwell
SUMMERTIME
Janis Joplin
TELL HER I LOVE HER
Urinetown (Musical)
THE WAITING
Tom Petty
TIK TOK
Ke$ha
TILL THERE WAS YOU
Meredith Willson
TREACHEROUS
Taylor Swift
UPRISING
Muse
A GIRL LIKE YOU
Edwyn Collins
ALL AROUND ME
David Crowder Band
Are We There Yet
Ingrid Michaelson
BISCUITS
Kacey Musgraves
CITY OF NEW ORLEANS
Arlo Guthrie
DIANA
Paul Anka
DON'T LOOK BACK
Boston
EYE OF THE TIGER
Survivor
EYE OF THE TIGER
Spectacular! (Movie)
FAST CARS AND FREEDOM
Rascal Flatts
FIRE AND ICE
Pat Benatar
FRIEND OF GOD
Israel Houghton
GOODBYE
Benny Goodman
HALLELUJAH
Leonard Cohen
HAPPY DAY
Tim Hughes
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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.