Octave Bass on Piano
The left hand plays the root of the chord low, then the same note an octave higher, back and forth: low C, high C. It gives rock and pop a driving pulse, like a bass guitar. Start slowly with your little finger (5) on the low note and your thumb (1) on the high one.
Practice it
Start with Heartbeat octaves, the one most songs use.
Patterns
Songs that use octave bass
- Die For YouThe Weeknd
- BlackPearl Jam
- Video GamesLana Del Rey
- PassionfruitDrake
- The PhoenixFall Out Boy
- One Last TimeAriana Grande
- Eye Of The TigerSurvivor
- Harvest MoonNeil Young
- SkyfallAdele
- ThneedvilleJohn Powell
- Martha My DearThe Beatles
- Dancing On My OwnRobyn
- Live And Let DiePaul McCartney & Wings
- Find Your LoveDrake
- Rebel YellBilly Idol
- Hey There DelilahPlain White Ts
- The ShowLenka
- LanternsBirds Of Tokyo
- LuciferAlan Parsons Project
- GrenadeBruno Mars
Questions
What is an octave bass on piano?
The root of each chord played in two places, eight notes apart, one after the other. Over C you play the low C, then the C above it.
My hand cannot reach an octave. What can I do?
Practice the stretch slowly with fingers 5 and 1 and a loose wrist, or play only the lower note until the reach comes.
Which songs use octave bass?
Die For You by The Weeknd, Black by Pearl Jam and Video Games by Lana Del Rey use octave bass. The songs on this page all use it, the most played first.