Gtap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Capo
None
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Guitar
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Dtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-C-E-A
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Ukulele
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Left Hand
Root notes
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Piano
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
gDGBD (Open G)
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Banjo
Gtap to play
Btap to play
Ctap to play
Atap to play
Etap to play
Dtap to play
Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Tuning
G-D-A-E
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Mandolin
Gtap to play
Btap to play
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Key
G
Difficulty
Beginner
Harp Key
C Diatonic
Chords
G · B · C · A · E · D
Dock of the Bay Chords – Harmonica
Otis Redding’s soulful classic about watching time pass by the water. Beginner difficulty in the key of G.
Soul Strum (4/4 Time)
↓↓↑↑↓↑
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Tip: Use a light, relaxed strum to match the song’s laid-back feel.
Chords & Structure
Full Song
Verse 1
G – C (×3)
G – D
Chorus
G – C (×3)
G – D
Verse 2
G – C (×3)
G – D
Chorus
G – C (×3)
G – D
Verse 3
G – C (×3)
G – D
Chorus
G – C (×3)
G – D
Bridge
G – C (×3)
G – D
Outro
G – C
G – D
G – C
G – D
G – C
Practice tip: Master the simple G-C-D progression before adding the whistling outro; focus on keeping a steady, unhurried tempo throughout.
Frequently Asked Questions
What chords do you need to play "Dock of the Bay"?
You need 6 beginner-friendly chords: G, B, C, A, E and D.
Is "Dock of the Bay" easy to play on guitar?
It is rated beginner and uses only 6 chords in the key of G, making it a good choice for players at that level.
What key is "Dock of the Bay" in?
It is in the key of G.
Who wrote "Dock of the Bay"?
It was written by Otis Redding, Steve Cropper, and released in 1968.