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.
The Book Of Love
The Magnetic Fields
THE HUSTLE
Van McCoy & The Soul City Symphony
THIS IS THE DAY
Les Garrett
BAD MOON RISING
Creedence Clearwater Revival
Can We Still Be Friends
Todd Rundgren
HERO/HEROINE
Boys Like Girls
I'M SHIPPING UP TO BOSTON
Dropkick Murphys
LONELY BOY
Paul Anka
TRUE LOVE WAITS
Radiohead
Adagio (from Flute Quartet in D, K285)
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
All Of Me
John Legend
Amazing
Matt Cardle
Anywhere
Rita Ora
Arrival Of The Queen Of Sheba
George Frideric Handel
Beauty And A Beat
Justin Bieber
Be Our Guest
Alan Menken
Better Days
OneRepublic
Boom Clap
Charli XCX
Bundle Of Joy
Michael Giacchino
Call My Name
Cheryl Cole
Canon in D
Johann Pachelbel
Can't Take My Eyes Off You
Frankie Valli
Can You Feel The Love Tonight? (from The Lion King)
Elton John
Changes
Faul & Wad Ad
Chasing Cars
Snow Patrol
Chiquitita
ABBA
C-H-R-I-S-T-M-A-S
Eddy Arnold
Christmas Lights
Coldplay
Close To You
The Carpenters
Clown
Emeli Sandé
Dancing In The Street
Martha & The Vandellas
Don't
Ed Sheeran
Don't Matter Now
George Ezra
Don't Think Twice, It's Alright
Bob Dylan
Do-Re-Mi
Richard Rodgers
Eenie Meenie
Sean Kingston & Justin Bieber
Every Teardrop Is A Waterfall
Coldplay
Everything Has Changed
Taylor Swift
Eye Of The Tiger
Survivor
Fine Line
Harry Styles
Follow The Sun
Xavier Rudd
Gimme! Gimme! Gimme!
ABBA
Grade 8
Ed Sheeran
Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer
Elmo & Patsy
Great Big World
Boys Like Girls
Hey You, Beautiful
Olly Murs
Higher Ground
Stevie Wonder
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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.