How to Play "(Sittin' on the) Dock of the Bay" — Otis Redding Guitar Lesson
The guitar work on Dock of the Bay is Steve Cropper at his most tasteful — sliding riffs, double-stop triads, and a rhythm approach that leaves exactly the right amount of space. It's a masterclass in soul guitar and one of the most satisfying songs to learn on acoustic or electric guitar. In this free lesson, Simon Morel walks you through the whole thing: the iconic sliding riff, the verse and chorus chord movements, the bridge, and the melodic lead ideas that fill the spaces between.
Watch the Free Lesson
9 minutes 54 seconds — no sign-up required.
What This Lesson Covers
Simon opens with a breakdown of Steve Cropper's style and then gets straight into the main sliding riff — the G to A hammer-on shape that defines the chorus and is one of the most recognisable guitar figures in soul music. He explains the F# to G# transitions in detail so you get the movement under your fingers before the chords come in.
From there the lesson covers the verse chord progression (G, B7, C, A), including the move to the major III chord and the chromatic walk-down that gives the song its melodic gravity. The chorus chords, bridge section and bridge lead lines using hybrid picking are all covered, with Simon showing how to use small two-string triads and sliding shapes in a Steve Cropper style to fill in the gaps and make the song sound full even when playing solo.
Chords and Skills You'll Need
Chords: G, B7, C, A, D. The B7 chord trips some players up but Simon shows an accessible fingering.
Lead and riff work: The sliding figures and double stops are at an intermediate level. You don't need to read tab to follow the lesson — Simon demonstrates everything at a clear pace. The hybrid picking technique for the bridge is worth developing regardless of what music you play.
This lesson is well suited to players who have a foundation of chords and want to start exploring soul and R&B rhythm guitar.
Get the Chart and Tab
The full chart and tab for Dock of the Bay is available on Patreon alongside Simon's complete soul and R&B lesson collection.
Want to Learn Songs Like This in Private Lessons?
If you're drawn to this style of guitar playing — the Steve Cropper, Curtis Mayfield, Al Green school of taste and restraint — there's a rich world to explore. Simon plays regularly in soul and R&B bands across Sydney and brings that real-world experience into his teaching.
$125/hr · All levels · Adults · Petersham studio or online