Doc Watson - "Deep River Blues" (Doc's Guitar: Fingerpicking & Flatpicking DVD)

Watch Doc Watson teach and play "Deep River Blues." This video is from the instructional DVD "Doc's Guitar: Fingerpicking & Flatpicking" produced by Smithsonian Folkways and Homespun Video.
Learn more: folkways.si.edu/doc-watson/do...
Doc Watson has been astonishing and delighting audiences for more than forty years, playing his flat top guitar with technical virtuosity and impeccable tone and timing. This DVD captures Doc in a special guitar workshop, teaching the most requested fingerpicking and flatpicking songs and instrumentals in his vast repertoire. Accompanied by some legendary musical friends, Doc provides an intimate look at the guitar technique, musical philosophy and fine musicianship for which he is known and loved throughout the world.
Learning guitarists will see and hear Doc's guitar playing slowed-down in close-up detail, with split-screen images to help you easily watch both his hands. With his characteristic good humor, his clear explanations and dazzling demonstrations, he'll soon have you playing his definitive arrangements of "Deep River Blues", "Bluebell", "Southbound", "Black Mountain Rag", "Georgie", "Way Downtown", "Don't Let Your Deal Go Down", "Blue Railroad Train", "Windy and Warm", "Beaumont Rag", "East Tennessee Rag", and "The Cuckoo."
Smithsonian Folkways: folkways.si.edu
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The content and comments posted here are subject to the Smithsonian Institution copyright and privacy policy (www.si.edu/copyright). Smithsonian reserves the right in its sole discretion to remove any content at any time.

[@davidmuir7711]

The man is a metronome. So clean and steady.

[@dornkile5616]

Funniest thing I ever saw happen at a concert - Doc and Merle were playing in the old Alumni gym on the Hill at University of Tennessee - back in the '70's. Everybody was enjoying the picking and singing, when during a brief lull, some joker in the balcony yells out: 'play such and such Doc' (don't remember the song). Undeterred from what he and Merle had planned, Doc 'looked' up in the vicinity of the voice and calmly declares: 'ah yeah, I remember my first beer too'. Audience loved it - and Doc kept right on playing.

[@richierich8678]

thats the real deal right there. no music compares to a tune like that

[@joepalooka2145]

Those of us who were lucky enough to sit close to Doc Watson in a live performance, gained a life-long love and appreciation for him. Not just for his wonderful musical talents, but for his great warmth as a human being and his sense of humour. He was totally genuine and honest. He was a great man.

[@michaelcolloton6971]

Doc lived about 40 miles down the mountain from where I went to college at Appalachian State. I saw him play 4 times. He was always a gentleman who seemed truly surprised and grateful that people, especially poor college students, would lay down their money to listen to him play. He remains a national treasure long after he's gone.

[@evelynovercash1147]

Me, too, Michael. I had the same experience. We didn't realize it was a big deal. We just wanted to hear him play.

[@DooDooBatterInPant]

My uncle used to play with him so I was lucky enough to meet him he was an awesome guy

[@kevinbaker7803]

Michael Colloton re

[@jimmyoleary8667]

Excellent! The One and only Doc!

[@QuantumMechanic_88]

Thanks for sharing this Michael . This means a lot & Be Blessed . Lefty

[@FlatlandMando]

What a natural performer, all the way around, no stress, no strain, just music.

[@theonetruemorty4078]

Been coming back here for 10 years now and it's still magic.

[@nelsonmcdonough9418]

It just doesn’t get any better than listening to Doc Watson!!! What an amazing talent!

[@gybx4094]

He said he was thankful he went blind as a young child, because that's what got him into playing guitar which allowed him to make a living doing something relatively "easy". Yeah, to him it's easy. A great man of Faith and character.

[@gtnsteve1]

Don't kid yourself. The legend is that Doc was a practicing electrician, including wiring his own house. Just imagine!

[@SlickD217]

Gy Bx they definitely don’t make men like Doc anymore...

[@tedpeterson1156]

gtnsteve1 Radio repair was one vocation that the blind were steered towards. Also he did auto repair. Supposedly Doc did indeed wire at least part of his home. And it passed code inspection. Rosalie apparently drew the line at roof repair.

[@paulwillard5991]

One of the all time best guitar pickers!! There will NEVER be another like Doc!!!

[@fiftypeehead]

Funny how all the most talented guitarists are so modest and humble

[@ronj9448]

+Q Tips Wallet Nothing to prove! Their talents speak louder than they themselves would.

[@nathanbecker3605]

Very well said my friend

[@GentlemenRockU]

Correct: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect

[@rbrockman6635]

Not funny at all, but it's the way it is and more importantly the way it should be. Doc and people of his talent are always humble down to the ground honest standards that most people will never ,as hard as they try , will never understand. And that to is the way it is but shouldn't be.

[@randypenn8763]

When personal pride is absent honest artistry flourishes! Doc's music is proof!

[@ssmith954]

What a fantastic piece of history! Thanks to Smithsonian Folkways for this 6 minutes of joy!

[@fuzzboxworld]

Love Doc Watson. Fingerboard closeups are like watching someone cheating at cards!

[@FlatlandMando]

That is funny, dry dry humour I can appreciate.

[@billygarrison6530]

no one is cheating here

[@sirolivermally]

fuzzboxworld great sense of humor! obviously not everyone gets it ;-)

[@danlevay5657]

I tried but can’t see him playing those high notes. It does sound and look like there is another guitar. Doc is amazing!

[@SGTJDerek]

Grew up around pickers. Loved to just sit and listen. Now, oh so many years later, after watching Fil from Wings of Pegasus do his break down videos, I have fallen in love with just sitting and listening to good players all over again. Thanks Fil for the gift of being able to really appreciate Doc on a whole new level.

[@2322Hoover]

When a master plays, the most ordinary things sound different, and very special. Thankyou, Doc.

[@curtisshaw8046]

Please show your respect, and homage to this man!

[@cjwaywell]

I'm from the UK and I always admired Docs playing and singing - what a guy we owe him so much

[@stevesheldon8616]

I tried to copy Doc's Deep River Blues...for about ten years. I got so I could play most of the notes but I could never make it swing like he could. He is so smooth and clean that it makes you think it's easy. It ain't.

[@FistPie]

Steve Sheldon I’ve been practicing thumbs picking for a few months now. Still hasn’t clicked haha. I’ve been playing guitar for 15 years. Not easy is an understatement.

[@kellyrojo78]

Yes there is a swing to it..... Most people wouldn't hear that I reckon

[@tedpeterson1156]

kellyrojo78 He'd been playing it maybe 50 years when this was recorded? Long time anyway. A lot of people can play fast, but there's more to it than that, to keep the tone at tempo is tough. Those clicks and squeals on the B and E strings are like ear candy, meanwhile, the thumb never quits with the alternating bass.

[@alexmcinnes5259]

Even Tommy Emmanuels versions sound too 'Tick Tock'.

[@jordanchiaruttiniREALTOR]

Christ this feels like cheating

[@sheckyfeinstein]

I love humble guys with talent.

[@franklyons5433]

Got to travel with Doc Watson and Merle Watson for a while I was blessed

[@Hklbrries]

Deets?

[@gregmccarter5386]

He could see better than any man who ever lived..his eyes were his heart..everything you hear comes from his heart.

[@adamedmour9704]

No joke, getting the thumb totally independent from the fingers takes forever

[@horseman528]

If I lived a thousand years, I would never be able to play that good. What a pleasure to listen to Coc play.

[@markpower3282]

I thought the same but I had a savage music teacher who went through it piece by piece until it was passable. After that it was just play it over and over and listen to the little extras. Would not take as long as you think.

[@Modernbluesharmonica]

For some reason, the fact that 67 people give this video a thumbs-down cheers me immensely. Here's one of the great masters of American music, a real gentleman, and blind to boot, sharing his trade secrets. How dare he! "He sucks!" Etc. If Doc teaching "Deep River Blues" irritates you, I know a cat in a paper bag who's lonely for a partner.

[@adamartley6451]

He’s missed for sure. I bet that cat misses him too.

[@sheridanbernasconi9261]

how can anyone disaprove? even if it's not your cup of tea, to openly express "thumbs down" scares the bejeezus outta me!

[@trebortrahrebe2575]

Tell me you didn't put a cat in a paper bag.

[@chrisschuele4743]

Not enough to flashing lights and shiny things for the millennials

[@mitchrobertson5601]

Regardless what any generation might think, Music is eternal always has been, otherwise we would not have modes, and if you ever have the chance or fate to travel to his part of the country, up in them mountains and glens of North Carolina, and the electricity goes out, your gonna get a big dose of his style of playing when they break out the acoustic instruments start up the Parlor playing.

[@rattleshakti]

What a wonderful man was Doc Watson

[@davidbirks7166]

Almost 40 years ago, my best friend (to this day) made a cassette tape for me. One side was all Mississippi John Hurt; the other side was all Doc and Merle Watson. For me, listening and learning the songs I heard was truly a life changing experience for me. A lot of people say that but, for me, it was.

[@goodun2974]

You might have to explain cassette tapes, and the concept of making mix tapes for your friends, to the millennial generation, sigh...

[@Dambuskers]

Been locked down for 10 weeks , And i have endeavoured to learn this song . ..Just had another listen to Doc .. And i need to go back and put in another few hundred hours ..He was the master

[@markpower3282]

Always the same isnt it. You practice like hell at it then one day you think, 'hey, that's not half bad', then you listen to Doc again and consider chopping your own hands off!!!

[@davidbirks7166]

This makes me happy everytime I watch it. All day long and twice on sunday. Doc Watson!

[@ironheadgrunt]

I never saw Doc in an organized concert, but one night about 20 years ago at the open jam at Herd Reid's store in Shingletown (Laurel Bloomery), TN, in walks Doc with his guitar to jam with all the local musicians. It was awesome. The only bad part was that it was obvious that there were some there that were jealous of Doc and the attention he commanded.

[@mijlaid]

How sad that some would think that way. I would have taken it as bragging rights that I've played with Doc Watson!

[@noisepuppet]

I'd have fainted

[@talister106]

Thank you Doc, your music will last forever.

[@SaposJoint]

I listen to Doc with my eyes closed. God, I miss him.

[@Skwerrlly]

Doc Watson,what a treasure

[@aaronwimberleymbamsf5776]

Classic and timeless

[@davenc8527]

My favorite song ever. Thank you, Doc.

[@SiggyMe]

Great Guy, humble and a real talent, RIP. Thanks for your music!

[@Anonymoose]

Doc is a National Treasure. I met him in the early 60s, I've tried to emulate him for all the years since, and this is one of the first of his tunes I tried to master. I can play it. I can even play it fairly well. Can I play it like Doc? No. Nobody can. When we lost him, we lost an era...

[@austenrobinson2747]

1/4 of my Mt Rushmore of flatpickers. Tony, Clarence and Norman complete it. Every flatpicker to ever learn these types of tune owe a deep gratitude to these four for showing us how it’s done. RIP one and all except Norman for showing us how it’s done.

[@theswordofkings7549]

Inadequate, that's what Doc made me feel.. and I loved it

[@Zaba_the_Dogling]

thank you so much. bless you for this extraordinary resource.

[@taylorrosado9151]

I was very lucky to meet Doc and Merle at show in Carolina Merle was the most Friendly person ever he didn't know me from Adam but our Love for bluegrass made us brothers God Bless

[@gunkadink]

Doc always made it look easy! God bless him!

[@2TheAbbeyClinic]

I learned this tune from a Doc Watson songbook. Love it. Thanks.

[@diment0857]

Now this is an artist with a capital A. Doc Watson is a treasure, always will be.

[@oicsaywhat]

Icon!! I miss Doc, he is a national treasure as musician and human being

[@mr.wizard2974]

Doc you brought a lot of enjoyment to all of us with your expertise! Thank you!

[@robertposusta537]

absolutely unreal experience! thank you very much sir

[@zyxmyk]

I love doc Watson. he's missed.

[@josemolina959]

Sweet and beautiful! Beautiful voice!

[@organjoe]

one the coolest musicians ever - wish I had seen him live.

[@rynemurray1091]

The rhythm with the right hand is incredible! So skilled

[@bobtronic73]

that rhythm and voice

[@DannyDishon]

This was one of my first finger picking songs. Thank you, Doc.

[@wmialil]

Doc and the Delmore Brothers. True inspiration.

[@andrewfyakim525]

I love you and miss you Doc! You are the best in so many ways...

[@JessanDunnOtis]

Thank heaven for Doc Watson - more music there; and, thanks for your music here. RIP

[@crazycoyote1738]

Calm and Beautiful!!

[@annanutherthing4373]

Gotta love this series x

[@daviddoyle4516]

Doc was everyones teacher,,,, I was blessed to see the man several times,,,he always delivered,,,,

[@dominussatthanas3114]

David Doyle that sounds wrong

[@stevenm322]

Only because your way of thinking is wrong and you may want to get that corrected.

[@stevenm322]

I am jealous of you. I sure wish I could have seen him at least once. I have been lucky that I saw Gordon Lightfoot live since he was a very young man. He was always wonderful and the audience always came first. One little theatre in the round had a little buzz somewhere and he spent like twelve hours before the show trying to find it so we would not hear it. He said he was sorry because he didn't find it for us. We never heard any buzz at all, he did and maybe had better hearing than us, but we all appreciated what he did for us. He gave us respect and he never once acted like he was better than anyone, ever. I am glad to have seen him for so many years. Doc Watson was every bit the gentleman that always cared about others. A great man and talent. I am so happy they made these documentaries of him and how he did things and why. It was not lost to the ages like so many things that mankind has lost because we didn't have the foresight to write it down or take notes and now there are so many things of old that we cannot do nor figure out how they did. Anyways I love Doc and may he rest in peace.

[@woodstoney]

Doc had it going on! The man is a legend.

[@smoovegittar]

I was fortunate to catch Doc with his son a few times. Warm feelings - thanks for posting.

[@wjb5805]

I actually got to shake his hand during the David Holt days. They were playing in Los Gatos so i said hello there and then the next year I got to see them in Redwood city too.

[@gtnsteve1]

It is great to have the Doc artistry on the 'net for all time.

[@vallanddess]

glad I had the privilege to see Doc and Merle many years ago, probably early eighties. Genuinely nice people.

[@ztahs]

I met Ralph when he was with the Greenbriar Boys. wonderful guy who really cared about the music. As for Doc...is there a guitarist who hasn't been influenced by him? Talk about class acts. Took me about 20 years to get it right.

[@howardlovecraft750]

Doc was one of the best.

[@spunnek75]

Such a wonderful artist and person, this Doc Watson.. Everything he said makes soo much sense in this turorial. Just like his wonderful lyrics. For me he is the soul of bluegrass.

[@coachchris548]

First time listening to the Doc, love it

[@harrylampton]

We are so fortunate to have this record! Thank You SmithsonianFolkways .

[@wattsun7946]

Doc makes it look effortless and Docs picking is so clean and crisp its truly was a gift .What a beautiful legacy he left.

[@Gminor7]

Funky as hell. He was one of the big bosses

[@williamatkinson8883]

Our group the Songcatchers, had the privilege of performing with Doc at the Lincoln theater on one of his last live shows. I was only able to spend a few minutes before we had to get to the dressing room. What a humble man, so talented and amazing to watch.

[@yuckydude]

Doc was one of the first bluegrass albums I had, back when I was in high school in the 90s. We saw him several times in WV, VA, and NC. I met him once when he played at Mountain Stage in Charleston, WV. He was a true Appalachian mountain man, with the artistry and humility that I always loved in traditional Appalachian culture.

[@brotherWes]

Just plain sweet. Thanks Doc for clarity.

[@stephenbrennan4178]

Seeing this reminds me to dig out this DVD again, it's been too long since I watched it and there so much in it

[@michaelhayes6887]

Travis picking with the thumb is great, and Doc is Timeless. Thanks!

[@AbirTarafdar]

What an absolute bad ass.

[@MrPennystyle01]

F yea

[@lv6750]

Phenomenal! I love his voice

[@tanner28624]

What a awesome man!!! Dont think we will see any more like him

[@leonarddomenico9711]

I was lucky enough to meet Doc Watson in Asheville NC

[@scottrunde8129]

I saw Doc 3 or 4 times live in concert, one time about 3 feet in front of me with his son Merle. He was unassuming and humble while displaying a unique style and being one of the all time best flat pickers I have ever seen or heard. Wish I could play 20% as good as this blind master and American Treasure. If someone doesn't like Doc and his music it's because they don't understand it and probably never will. You have to live the blues to know what he's playing, because his guitar speaks louder than he ever did!

[@bobnobody3191]

Amen brother!

[@snakemansnakes1]

What a treat this is a real master class from a true gentleman of the genre. Been listening to this guy for quite some time. This is sheer magic. Many thanks for the posting.

[@andrewbeattieRAB]

I went to Texas A&M in the early ‘80’s. My fraternity brother and roommate played the banjo very well. HE got me listening to Doc - TENNESSEE STUD!!

[@Skwerrlly]

Awesome little session from a truly great, yet humble man.You can't get angry at those who gave this a thumbs down, just feel sorry for them.

[@MH-rt9ts]

Amazing stuff.

[@letsbetravis]

A wonderful musician and inspiration. Doc is in heaven now, pickin' with his boy again.

[@bluetoad2001]

wow. this is worth the admission and then some. thanks for posting

[@97teledlx]

Doc is so smooth. Who would have thought you could play the bass line and chord melody at the same time as a solo act. Doc and Merle are pure genius and masters of their respective trade. I cannot thank you enough for sharing. Now to practice, practice, practice.

[@lhk1951]

absolutely the best flat picker ever. what a musical giant and a wonderful human being. So many young guitarists were influenced by Doc. RIP.

[@Bluesman76]

fantastic pickin and amazing singing

[@Joe_J-MT_Boy]

I love how he sneaks those little string-bends into the middle of a picking run. They make the song quite a bit more interesting from a listener's perspective.

[@tedpeterson1156]

There are actually a few different picking styles in this short lesson, it isn't as easy as it might seem.

[@MrPennystyle01]

​@@tedpeterson1156 No one said it was easy dickhole

[@Zuhlsmann1]

Unbelievable how smooth he does this! It seriously looks effortless.

[@banjoboy77a]

So fine........as in all his playing.....Thanks for everything Doc! And you too Mr. Gallagher!!!!!!!!

[@toneman335]

Saw Doc Watson perform several years ago in New York City. He was great!

[@cAnthonyL]

The technology has permitted it! I’m viewing this analog rendering on a device accessible anywhere in the world!

[@bustaboy60]

Saw him and his son circa '68-'69 at UCLA...one of the best concerts ever...

[@bradypeake4447]

This is awesome. Playin along with em

[@aliwhitwell]

Great instructional video. Thanks a million!

[@rasputinsghost]

Doc's a national treasure, no doubt of that

[@matthewrotherham1]

Okay, here is exactly how you do it. Magic, got it.

[@Gpacharlie]

Yep! Magic.

[@yourdailymilk]

Love it. Such a great sounds

[@3melendr]

Ole Doc is on the Praise and Worship team consisting of millions of saved saints and angels. Wow, imagine the sound. Better yet get there!