Below is the lesson for “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” by Otis Redding.

Helpful Tips

Hone your strumming skills with this classic soul song. Musically, it’s a fairly simple piece, which is great because it allows you to focus on right-hand technique rather than left-hand complexity.

Remember to keep your right hand moving consistently when strumming. Since all the strum patterns are based on an eighth-note rhythm, follow this rule of thumb: strum down on the downbeats (1, 2, 3, 4) and up on the upbeats (the &’s). This constant motion helps you stay in time while improving the efficiency and fluidity of your strumming.