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.
DOWN IN THE BOONDOCKS
Billy Joe Royal
FOR NO ONE
The Beatles
GOOD RIDDANCE
Green Day
I CAME TO BELIEVE
Johnny Cash
ON THE OTHER HAND
Randy Travis
RIDIN' THE STORM OUT
REO Speedwagon
SAN FRANCISCAN NIGHTS
Eric Burdon & The Animals
TRAVELIN' BAND
Creedence Clearwater Revival
TUSH
ZZ Top
BANG A GONG
T. Rex
BE-BOP-A-LULA
Gene Vincent
BOSSA NOVA BABY
Elvis Presley
CHANGES IN ATTITUDES
Jimmy Buffett
DETROIT CITY
Bobby Bare
FIREFLY MAIN TITLE
Greg Edmonson
GREASED LIGHTNIN'
John Travolta
I COULD NEVER TAKE THE PLACE OF YOUR MAN
Prince
I FEEL FINE
The Beatles
I'M ON FIRE
Awolnation
INDIAN RESERVATION
Paul Revere & The Raiders
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
L-O-V-E
Nat King Cole
MY LOVE
Petula Clark
OH, LITTLE TOWN OF BETHLEHEM
Elvis Presley
POOR LITTLE FOOL
Ricky Nelson
ROCK & ROLL - PART II
Gary Glitter
A FACE IN THE CROWD
Tom Petty
ALLEY CAT SONG
Peggy Lee
CALIFORNIA SUN
The Rivieras
CATCH THE WIND
Donovan
I FOUGHT THE LAW
The Clash
KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR
Bob Dylan
LIL' RED RIDING HOOD
Sam The Sham & The Pharoahs
POWDERFINGER
Neil Young
ANARCHY IN THE U.K.
Sex Pistols
BO DIDDLEY
Bo Diddley
CLOSER TO FREE
BoDeans
DIDN'T WE
Frank Sinatra
SUGAR MOUNTAIN
Neil Young
THE LAST THING ON MY MIND
Tom Paxton
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN'
Nancy Sinatra
YOU WERE ON MY MIND
Sylvia Fricker
CRIMSON AND CLOVER
Tommy James And The Shondells
FEVER
Peggy Lee
GOOD NIGHT
The Beatles
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Bob Dylan
ROLL WITH THE CHANGES
REO Speedwagon
ACE OF SPADES
Motorhead
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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.