Piano Songs with Pedal Bass
1,534 songs — Pedal bass holds a single note (the pedal) underneath shifting harmonies above. Creates tension and resolution — common in classical music, gospel, and reflective ballads.
How pedal bass works
Pedal point: LH sustains one bass note (typically the tonic or dominant) while RH chords change above. The static bass creates harmonic tension that resolves when the bass finally moves.
NO SCRUBS
TLC
NOTHIN' LIKE YOU
Dan + Shay
ONLY YESTERDAY
Carpenters
OOGIE BOOGIE'S SONG
Danny Elfman
PENNY LOVER
Lionel Richie
PHILADELPHIA FREEDOM
Elton John
SLEDGEHAMMER
Rihanna
SOMEWHERE OUT THERE
Our Lady Peace
SON-OF-A-PREACHER MAN
Linda Eder
STAINED GLASS MASQUERADE
Casting Crowns
SURF'S UP
The Beach Boys
THE REASON
Hoobastank
THIS IS THE STUFF
Ian Eskelin
TRUE FRIEND
Hannah Montana
TWO BIRDS
Regina Spektor
Walking In Memphis
Marc Cohn
WE ARE THE WORLD
USA For Africa
YOU ARE LOVED
Josh Groban
YOU GIVE GOOD LOVE
Whitney Houston
Again
John Legend
ALL THIS TIME
Britt Nicole
ALL WE ARE
OneRepublic
ANYWHERE
Rita Ora
BECAUSE YOU LOVED ME
Celine Dion
BEFORE YOUR LOVE
Kelly Clarkson
BELIEVE
Brooks & Dunn
BEST DAY OF MY LIFE
American Authors
BEST MISTAKE
Ariana Grande
BLACK BETTY
Huddie Ledbetter
BLACK HORSE AND THE CHERRY TREE
KT Tunstall
BOYS BOYS BOYS
Lady Gaga
BREAK FREE
Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
DOES YOUR MOTHER KNOW
ABBA
FALL AWAY
The Fray
FOR THE FIRST TIME
The Script
GERONIMO
Sheppard
GOODBYE MY LOVER
James Blunt
HAMMER TO FALL
Queen
HEAVEN IS A PLACE ON EARTH
Belinda Carlisle
I BELIEVE IN A THING CALLED LOVE
The Darkness
IF I WERE A BELL
Teena Marie
I JUST CALL YOU MINE
Martina McBride
LADY
Lionel Richie
MANEATER
Nelly Furtado
MERCY
Shawn Mendes
MESS IS MINE
Vance Joy
MR. ROBOTO
Styx
MY LOVE
Justin Timberlake featuring T.I.
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Frequently asked questions
- What is pedal bass on piano?
- A pedal bass (or pedal point) is when the left hand holds a single bass note steady while the chords change above. Creates suspense and dramatic effect — common in cinematic music and gospel.
- Is pedal bass easy?
- Technically yes — you're just holding one note. The challenge is rhythm awareness in the right hand, since you can't hear chord changes in the bass.
- Where is pedal bass used?
- Gospel music, organ-style hymns, cinematic film scores, and any piece that needs a building, suspended feel. Bach's organ works are famous for extended pedal points.