How to Play 'Drive' by Incubus on Guitar (Beginner)

Mahalo guitarist Brandon Slavinski teaches you the easy version of "Drive" by Incubus!

Each guitar player and new guitar student develops their own personal style and form as they learn to play over time. Developing some technical skills, like an understanding of tablature, and perhaps studying music theory, notation and rhythm are all important to becoming an accomplished musician. How quickly a certain student learns the guitar will also depend on individual talent and personal dedication to the craft. Practicing songs that are familiar and fun to play for friends can be a motivational inspiration for many guitar students.

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[herkuskaminskas]

If anyone else is confused about the strumming.

On the *E pinky 3rd fret* you do 2 downstrokes on E A D strings, then one full downstroke and 1 upstroke on the bottom 3 strings. It's Down(E, A, D) 2 times, then Down (All strings) and Up (E, B, G). Basically two downstrokes on the top 3 strings 2 times, then a full downstroke and on your way up hit the 3 bottom strings.

Same thing on the *E ring finger 2nd fret* just only one downstroke on E A D instead of two. Down (E, A, D), Down (All) and Up (E, B, G).

After hitting that upstroke on the bottom strings quickly lay your palm on them, this will mute them and make that cool cut-off sound. Mute the upstroke when transitioning from E with pinky 3rd fret to E with ring finger and from C to A.

This is as much as I have been able to figure out since I am a beginner myself, but I hope this helps someone who might be struggling.

[wirthquake]

Thanks for telling me a hundred thousand times throughout the song how "beginner" it is. Then when I replay the video another hundred thousand times I get to hear it again.

[chippedpaintrecords]

wow this is a lot easier than playing it the real way and sounds close enough that you could do a cover this way and nobody would notice.

[johntauy]

This better than complicated chords. Thank a lot. 🤙

[jaeybulzer]

You made it lot easier bro.. I am a rookie playing self learned since 4 years (got inspired by one of my friend Guitarist), trying this song for 2 years inconsistently but this video... Man, this video was just two steps below.
Checked it out today and boom.. got a new gig for bar performance.

Thank Mr.Brandon for the great help. This song is really cool to perform anywhere.

With Love from India

[IgetRandomWhenBored]

listen to the song a lot and focus on "feeling" the rhythm. that's my best advice.

[MrZoran]

Awesome man. Now I can fumble through one of my favourites. Thank you!

[johnbowen]

Thanks for sharing this version of an iconic alternative rock song. Simple as pie I am a multi instrumentalist, played and recorded in my own band for over 20 years, and I will testify that this simpler version of "Drive", sounds and feels just as good as the advanced version of playing this song. Great work! (As for the strumming pattern, play it the way you feel, and hear it, and it will evolve naturally .Sometimes in the studio, you may hear what is called the easier chords, dubbed into the track, to add an underlying foundation to the guitar tracks, to give the song more depth and feel.

[ginormous]

I really need to push myself to explore complex chords and modes, but I’ll take this easy version for now.
Thanks!

[douglasmccannpiano]

singing the verse over the strumming. bravo

[Panchasimo]

for a beginner and I love this easy to learn how to play

[owlsrule]

the way you play it in this video is how i figured it out before i even looked up chords or watched videos....however, i now know the true version and while this sounds really good and is very simple, it sounds BEAUTIFUL when played correctly. ive only been playing for less than a year and i can do it. i highly suggest you (beginners) take the time to watch the other videos or learn the song from a teacher. good luck!

[xcodychaosx]

Been trying to learn this song a while now and this way ive actually got it down thanks dude liked and subscribed

[Espyder]

A half step is the smallest increment between two notes on a staff. Ex. A-A# is a half step, or C-C#. In guitar terms, a half step is one fret in either direction

[docjonski]

Thank you very much for this! I've been trying to find an easier way to play this for years now. I'm so glad I found this tutorial, I can play this now thanks to you. God bless!🙏🏼😇

[trevorwilliamson]

"Today I'm going to teach you the simplest version of Incubus by Drive" lol

[WhenYoureAStranger]

Beginner? This sounds BETTER than any other version I've heard. Cool dude.

[Lun]

Wow this is awesome . Helpful video even after 11 years later it was published

[marioflash-newjerseyshorer]

Thanks 4 this!!! I could never make the stretch to play the second chord-even though I can play a lot of interesting chords and fast complicated riffs! Now I’ll be able to do this song at my shows!!! Greatly

[mishad]

Thanks, practicing with this version helped me capture the feel of the strumming. I can still rock out the tune while learning the harder chord voicing.