Personal Picks! Cool Songs Featuring Octave Techniques

Spring has come and already gone in Narita, and all the cherry blossoms have fallen. How did you fare with hay fever this year? I didn’t do so well. Besides the itching and runny nose, I was constantly bothered by pollen getting into my eyes from my car.
So today, I’d like to introduce some famous phrases that use octave techniques, selected entirely based on my own preferences. Why? Because I love octave techniques. I hope to convey just how cool this simple technique can be.

1. Hysteria/Muse

The distorted bass in the intro is incredibly striking, but the guitar in this song is unforgettable. It’s that memorable. The overall noisy, fuzzy distortion is used very effectively. The lyrics are unique, presenting perspectives from both a sane side and a hysteric side, adding to the song’s depth. What a great song.

2. My Sharona/The Knack

Just when you think this phrase is going to continue endlessly throughout the song, the change in tone after the guitar solo is incredibly refreshing. The octave is divided into lower and higher parts, creating a sense of rhythm.
By the way, Sharona is a real person. She was a young woman whom guitarist and vocalist Doug Fieger fell in love with at first sight. Ma-ma-ma-my Sharona!

3. Immigrant Song/Led Zeppelin

From the opening noise that layers upon itself, you can already feel the sense of speed. This song always makes an appearance in lists of classic riffs. Although it’s played similarly to “My Sharona”, it feels more difficult to execute. The muting is challenging.
The Viking themes are present throughout the lyrics, but there’s a line at the end that emphasizes peace. If anyone knows why, please enlighten me.

4. Can’t Stop/Red Hot Chili Peppers

Although this is an unconventional use of the octave technique, with a note inserted between the octaves and only the root note moving, it can still be considered an extension of the octave technique.
I have no idea why someone would run with a fluorescent light on their back, but it’s my dream to play this riff flawlessly. I can never play it cleanly. Brushing and single-note playing are tough...

So far, I’ve introduced songs that use octaves in their riffs, but octave techniques aren’t limited to riffs. Next, let’s focus on guitar solos, the highlight for any guitarist.

1. American Idiot/Green Day

Listening to this song again for the first time in a while before writing this article, I was reminded of how cool it is. It brought back memories of covering this song with my band in high school.
Putting my personal feelings aside, the octave technique appears in the first half of the solo. It builds momentum and perfectly sets up the solo that ascends from lower notes. I want to play this song again.

2. You Give Love A Bad Name/Bon Jovi

This classic needs no introduction. The octave technique is used in the solo, transitioning from lower to higher notes and leading into a trill with a right-handed slide in the high notes. In the same album, there are other super hits like “Livin’ On A Prayer” and “Wanted Dead Or Alive”, each with a distinct style, showcasing Bon Jovi’s wide range. They are just awesome.

3. Working For The Weekend/Loverboy

It’s debatable whether this is a solo or an interlude, but the way it moves from low notes to higher octaves is incredibly cool, so I wanted to include it.
The same phrase appears repeatedly between melodies, but it gradually extends, adding to the excitement.
Personally, in the music video, drummer Matt Frenette seems to be awkwardly focused on at odd moments, which I find amusing.

While this might seem like just a list of great songs, I hope you found it fun to listen to music from the perspective of a specific technique.
As we move into a season perfect for driving, enjoying a drink, or camping, I hope this helps you find even more enjoyment in your music.
Bye!