Drive Guitar Lesson - Incubus

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In this Drive guitar lesson, I will show you how to play the guitar chords to this mostly acoustic smash hit from Incubus.

Released in 2000 off of their Make Yourself album, "Drive" became Incubus' biggest hit earning them Billboard's modern rock single of the year honors.

There is some nice chord work in this one that along with the rhythmic pulse, gives "Drive" it's introspective yet flowing character.

I am going to keep this lesson to just the acoustic guitar parts since that is the way it is most often played by the band. There is also only two chord progressions to learn for the entire song.

The opening chord progression makes up the verse and chorus sections of the song as well. It is based around an open voiced E minor chord that moves into an E minor 9th chord. The differences in hand positions between these two chords will probably produce the greatest challenge of the song. When moving to the Minor 9th chord I suggest moving your fret-hand thumb to a little higher position on the back of the neck top facilitate grabbing that chord shape.

From there you will shift down to a pretty standard C major 7th chord followed by a minor 7th interval with each note doubled.

The only other section to learn would be the pre-chorus. It is made up of only two repeated chords, the same C major 7th chord from before as well as a A7 chord. This pre-chorus is much easier to play than the main chord progression so you probably won't have much of an issue getting it under you fingers.

I hope you guys enjoy learning the fun acoustic smash hit from Incubus!

Carl...

[vmontijo]

You have a great method for teaching... the 3-way split screen... and your information delivery - you ROCK! Thank you!

[mitchvolk]

Man! its so cool to come back to these videos knowing I was waiting for your uploads every week! thank you for all your lessons over the years, could basically call you my personal teacher

[michaell]

So simple. Can't believe this song is only 5 chords.

Been playing for 20 years and in my teens I always remembered seeing an alternate tuning in tabs which made me never play it.

The 20 year mystery is solved! Easy song to play for a solid intermediate.

[seejayjames]

Great video!

If the shifts are giving you trouble, an easier version can be played on the first couple frets. This is less strain on your left hand and is easier to play without looking, so you can add vocals! :)

Em | Em7 | Cmaj7 | A7add9 (no 3) (just D string fret 2)
Cmaj7 | A7 (D and B strings, fret 2)

The Cmaj7 is A string fret 3, D string fret 2. Don't play the low E.

[alisondailey]

3 years after posting ~ and I just found this lesson. Thanks very much ~ all because of YOU - I learned how to play this song - in WARP speed.

[nevillebartos]

Hi guys, if like me you're really struggling with the transition from the em7 to the second chord of the progression (fat fingers and age slowing me down 😩) or it's just a buzzy mess when you get there, you can move the whole thing down the fretboard to an open D position. The only difference is instead of fretting the A note on the third string, you fret the E note on the fourth string and use the tip of your finger to mute the open A above it. You do lose the ring of the open E on the first string but hey, small price to pay to be able to play the song and have it sound half good I think 😊. Thanks Carl, great tutorial

[mikebrown]

I like all of your lessons. I’ve been playing guitar for about 40 years. On the record I think he goes to a third chord in the chorus. It just doesn’t seem to jive with the original recording. Correct me if I’m wrong. Once again, thanks for your work!

[flubberamoebes]

Perfect timing, I just started learning this last week but wasn't really satisfied with the existing tutorials...

[MrNinfofan]

Amazing, Love Incubus, please do more songs from them

[randyscott]

His method of teaching is awesome he takes the time to show you exactly what's going on the best teacher I've ran across!!

[MZRYaimbot]

Thank you for this lesson. I always wanted to played this one but I couldn't figure out the strum pattern.

[simoneattivissimo]

Great tutorial, thank you! If I may suggest an alternative way to play the second chord in the pre-chorus: 505600

[mikebrown]

I just found it. It’s the bass line. I’m about to start gigging again & this is a great acoustic duo tune. Thanks Carl! 👍

[gatorhater]

Thanks for another great video. I learned Rocky Mtn. High yesterday and was happy to find that you have a lesson for this song as well!!

[killslay]

i had to bookmark this and come back to it when i got a little better, but i can finally manage to stumble my way through it! thanks

[nubetoob]

On the bridge where it does C A twice you should try playing C like this x 3 2 0 3 0, on the second time the C chord is played

[Smoothboxnailer]

Carl you made it look really easy, especially when the chord transitions are so quick. My guess, it took 20+ years to make it look that easy? Thx Great lesson.

[luy]

this song hits so fucking hard, man.
been looking up and down for a good tutorial.
i need to get it down and get it out of my system.
thanks, man. finally a version that sounds right.

[callmejason]

it's so hard making it sound good i keep spending ages to move from chord to chord

[mahkitv]

Thank you for this tutorial. More power...