(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay
by Otis Redding
Album: The Dock of the Bay
Released: 1968
Genre: Soul/R&B
Difficulty Analysis
Overall
BeginnerRhythm
BeginnerLead
BeginnerBass
BeginnerMusical Analysis
Key & Tonality
Song Structure
Understanding G major:
G major has a bright, uplifting character typical of major keys. The Ionian (Major) mode gives it a stable, resolved feeling. This key works well for anthemic rock songs and creates a powerful, confident mood.
Pro Tip: Practice the scales and chord progressions in this key to internalize its unique character and improve your improvisation.
Primary Chords Used
Scale Patterns in G major
G major scale
Notes: G - A - B - C - D - E - F# - G
Application: Primary harmonic foundation for verse and chorus chord progressions
Fretboard Pattern
Chord Progressions
Main Progression
Warm, soulful verse progression with the B7 adding a bluesy secondary dominant that resolves beautifully to C
Theory Insight:
This progression creates a specific harmonic movement that defines the song's emotional character. Understanding the relationship between these chords helps in improvisation and songwriting.
Chord Shapes Used:
G
B7
C
A
Harmonic Functions:
- G (I):Tonic home chord establishing the warm, relaxed key center
- B7 (III7):Secondary dominant of vi (Em), adding soulful chromaticism
- C (IV):Subdominant providing gentle harmonic lift
Key Techniques
Clean Strumming
BeginnerGentle, relaxed strumming pattern using open chord voicings with a warm, clean tone that captures the laid-back soul feel of the song
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
G - B7 - C - A
Tips:
- • Don't grip the pick too tightly - a loose grip creates a warmer tone
- • Focus on smooth, even strumming rather than volume or speed
- • Let chords ring and overlap slightly during transitions for a flowing feel
- • Practice chord changes slowly and in isolation before playing the full progression
Smooth Chord Transitions
BeginnerMoving between open chord voicings with minimal hand movement and maximum sustain, keeping the musical flow uninterrupted
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
G - B7 - C - A (Verse), G - E (Chorus)
Tips:
- • Visualize the next chord shape while playing the current one
- • Use pivot fingers (fingers that stay on the same fret) to anchor transitions
- • Slow the tempo until every transition is perfectly clean, then speed up
- • Practice the B7 chord shape separately as it's the most challenging for beginners
Fingerstyle Option
BeginnerAn alternative fingerpicking approach that can replace strumming for a more intimate, acoustic rendition of the song
Uses chords:
See chord diagrams in the Chord Reference section above
Progression:
G - B7 - C - A
Tips:
- • Keep the picking hand relaxed and let fingers return naturally to position
- • Start with just thumb and one finger before adding more complexity
- • Let the bass notes ring through the higher plucked notes for fullness
- • This approach works especially well for the verse sections
Practice Exercises
Scale and technique exercises in the key of G major. Practice these patterns to build the skills needed for this song.
Intro
0:00-0:10Chord Voicing Exercise
Simple two-chord intro establishing the warm, relaxed feel of the song with gentle strumming over G and B7
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Set the tone with a gentle, unhurried strum
- • Let the G chord ring fully before moving to B7
- • Use a warm, clean tone with no effects
Verse 1
0:10-0:40Chord Voicing Exercise
The verse introduces the main four-chord progression with a relaxed strumming pattern under the iconic vocal melody
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Each chord lasts approximately two beats (one half measure)
- • Keep the strumming gentle and even throughout
- • The B7 chord is the trickiest transition - practice it separately
Chorus
0:40-1:05Chord Voicing Exercise
The chorus features the wistful G-E alternation for the 'sittinthe signature refrain, creating an emotionally resonant back-and-forth
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • The E major chord adds a bittersweet quality - use the open E voicing
- • Emphasize the contrast between G (bright) and E (darker) moods
- • End the chorus pattern with the A chord resolving back to the verse
Verse 2
1:05-1:30Chord Voicing Exercise
Second verse repeats the same chord progression with identical strumming approach, perhaps with slight dynamic variation
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Maintain the same gentle feel as Verse 1
- • Transitions should feel completely natural by this point
- • Add very subtle dynamic variation to keep the performance alive
Bridge
1:30-1:55Chord Voicing Exercise
The bridge shifts to a G-D-C progression providing a moment of forward motion and harmonic contrast before returning to the verse
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • The bridge uses familiar I-V-IV movement for stability
- • Slightly stronger strumming gives the bridge a sense of forward motion
- • The D chord provides dominant tension before resolving through C back to G
Outro (Whistling)
2:05-2:38Chord Voicing Exercise
The famous whistling outro rides over the verse chord progression, with the guitar maintaining the gentle strumming pattern as the song fades out with ocean sound effects
Chord Voicing Exercise
- • Maintain steady, gentle strumming as the whistling melody carries the outro
- • Gradually reduce volume and intensity for the fade-out
- • The chord progression loops the verse pattern until the fade
Equipment & Tone
Guitar
Recommended:
Acoustic guitar (steel-string dreadnought or parlor)
Pickup Type:
Neck pickup for warm, round tone if using electric; natural acoustic resonance preferred
Alternatives:
- • Hollow body electric (Gibson ES-335 or Epiphone Casino)
- • Semi-hollow electric guitar
- • Any clean-toned guitar with warm pickups
Amplifier
Recommended:
Settings:
Gain: 2 (completely clean, no breakup)
Treble: 5 (balanced, not too bright)
Middle: 6 (warm midrange presence)
Bass: 5 (balanced, full but not boomy)
Presence: 4 (smooth, not harsh)
Alternatives:
- • Fender Twin Reverb
- • Vox AC15
- • Any clean channel amp
Effects
Distortion:
None - completely clean tone throughout
Reverb:
Light spring reverb for subtle warmth and ambience
Other:
No effects needed - simplicity is key to this song's tone
Learning Path
Time Estimate: 1-2 weeks
- • Learn the G, C, and A open chord shapes individually
- • Practice the B7 chord shape until it is comfortable and clean
- • Work on transitioning between each pair of chords in the verse progression
- • Strum the full G-B7-C-A progression at a slow tempo with a metronome
Time Estimate: 2-3 weeks
- • Play the verse progression at full tempo (104 BPM) with clean transitions
- • Add the chorus G-E alternation with confident chord changes
- • Learn the bridge G-D-C section and practice song form transitions
- • Play through the entire song structure from intro to outro
Time Estimate: 3-4 weeks
- • Learn the fingerstyle picking pattern as an alternative to strumming
- • Add subtle dynamic variations between verses, chorus, and bridge
- • Practice transitioning between strumming and fingerpicking within the song
- • Perform the complete song with expression, dynamics, and confident timing
Practice Notes
Common Mistakes
- • Rushing through chord changes instead of letting each chord ring fully
- • Strumming too aggressively - this song requires a gentle, relaxed touch
- • Struggling with the B7 chord shape and producing muted or buzzing strings
- • Losing the laid-back feel by playing with too rigid or mechanical timing
Practice Routine
- • Warm up with open chord shapes G, C, D, A, E, and B7 for 5 minutes
- • Practice the verse progression (G-B7-C-A) at 80 BPM with a metronome
- • Add the chorus section (G-E alternation) and practice the transition
- • Play the complete song form at gradually increasing tempos up to 104 BPM
Focus Areas
- • Clean open chord voicings with no muted or buzzing strings
- • Smooth and gap-free transitions between chord shapes
- • Relaxed, gentle strumming feel appropriate to the soul genre
- • Song form awareness - knowing when each section changes
Metronome Work
- • Start at 70 BPM strumming each chord for four beats before changing
- • Increase to 85 BPM changing chords every two beats as in the song
- • Practice at 95 BPM with the full strumming pattern (down-up)
- • Reach target tempo of 104 BPM with confident, musical chord changes