How to Play Deep River Blues by Doc Watson

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I love this song! It's a traditional tune famously worked into a fingerpicking masterpiece by the great Doc Watson. In this lesson we'll focus on the intro in detail.
To tackle this one, you'll want to make sure you've got a solid thumbpicking technique and go slowly!
Doc plays this at warp speed, but it sounds great at slower tempos too so take your time and work up to the performance tempo.
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Good luck and...
Play On!
John
#tuesdayblues #acousticblues #playbetterblues
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[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Dig this free lesson? Please subscribe to the BGI KZbin Channel! bit.ly/2wGVJsy

[@peterpedersen1641]

I have been working on this tune for decades. You know the drill. Watching this made a few of the changes smooth right out. Of course, trying to pick this off just hearing it done by Doc was the hardest way back in the 70s... LOL I was lucky enough to meet both Doc Watson and John Prine one night in San Jose, Ca. at The Saddle Rack club. I was sitting at the bar w prior lady in 1980. Guy comes up a sits next to me. I say, "You look just like John Prine?" he says, "Thank God for that!" It was him! I bought him a beer, we chatted for 10 minutes. I asked him why he was there. He says, "I am playing a few tunes with Doc." The rest is history. Of course, I already played everything John did at that point. After seeing Doc kick it in the ass, it was time to learn Deep River Blues. Thanks for this update on playing this great great pickin tune. OH>>> I also use Black Mountain Picks..! Just got my first batch a few weeks back. Wow, they are very nice!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

@@peterpedersen1641 Wow, what a story Peter, that's really cool. You'd have a heck of a story with just meeting either of those legends. Thanks for sharing that. I'm happy you had that experience!

[@howardmoore5931]

2:19

[@piousjeems1st]

I am 69 years old. I learned to play chords on a silvertone guitar when I was 16 and bought a Takamine in 1974 when I was 20. I never got much beyond strumming chords and finger picking two or three songs. I have tried to learn Deep River Blues now for 49 years. I would practice the first two or three bars until I got frustrated and put the guitar down. Never got past those first three bars. After not playing my guitar for many, many years, I got it out of the case a few months after my wife died. I had forgotten about everything I ever knew. I put the first full new set of strings on it in at least 20 years. Probably 30. But I have been practicing just about every day for four months, now. I'm picking back up the little I knew and, thanks to your video, I can play the first eight bars of Deep River Blues. My speed is terrible, I dull some notes, and I don't have the rhythm right, but I've made more progress in four months than in the last 40 years. Thank you so much for your video. Glad to hear and see you are a Southern boy. God bless you.

[@julianmeza8061]

I’m sorry for your loss brother. Let the music heal you

[@murraykerr558]

And also god bless you brother, from another Southern brother, south London 🍻

[@DoctahToboggan69]

Sorry for your loss, man. Just know this really inspires me to pick up the guitar again despite having the same frustrations as you. Thanks for that.

[@musiclifelove]

I saw Doc playing this on KZbin 10 years ago and literally NEVER thought I'd be able to learn it. After a 3 or 4 days with this video I almost have it down. I am truly grateful. You are a fantastic teacher.

[@almccallie4314]

Way to go James!

[@almccallie4314]

I think it’s pretty impressive to play this for folks. If you like Doc, check out some stuff by Hot Tuna. You could play these too. Keep at it and best of luck.

[@musiclifelove]

@@almccallie4314 Thank you! I am gonna check them out. I really appreciate the kind words.

[@demolitionwilliams7419]

Nice buddy! I love hearing that

[@JC-xc8rx]

i 'VE SPEND A WEEK AND ALMOST THE FIRST BAR DONE

[@mikefinley4367]

A timeless tune that should put a smile on anyone's face.

[@Shatterthewaves]

The pinky bends are brutal ! Thanks for this amazing lesson, you saved me a lot of replaying his live videos over and over to figure this out (though that wouldn't have been bad !). Cheers from France

[@louisrochet8232]

Je me suis tellement musclé le petit doigt

[@grizzbuck]

Thank you!!! After a few days of following the tutorial, I can play this! Gradually working on the speed, but I've got it now!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Fantastic!

[@ciaranw520]

You really are a good teacher. As previous comments have said. I've heard this a hundred times and thought it was either magic or a lifetime of hard work... But after an hour or so, I'm making a lot of progress. Just playing the first two measures makes me feel so accomplished and authentic. Thanks a lot man.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Glad it was helpful! Very happy to hear that you're making progress. This is a tough tune for sure but keep at it, it's a ton of fun to play. Sounds like you're enjoying the journey which is fantastic!

[@captaingrub2228]

I'm stoked to play this. Thanks Bill Paxton.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You're welcome

[@drzecelectric4302]

Chet!

[@haraldnies9761]

Great lesson. Really worth putting time and effort into learning it because it is such an amazing piece of music! Thank you for breaking it down.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You're very welcome!

[@mrlinsalata]

Thank you for this satisfying and rewarding lesson, much appreciated! It’s thorough and patient, in a way that helps me understand the song in pieces and then put it together as a whole. I’m sure I’m not the only one you’ve helped take their finger pickin’ to another level 😁

[@anjrooo1]

You’re the man! Came from finger playing on bass and never messed with guitar till I started researching finger picking. To say the least your videos have helped me progress tremendously, especially with the strumming rhythm. Thx!

[@minenu11]

I have tried a few different goes at this. Finally this has done it. I could already get the basic fingerpicking but this has cemented the chords in my mind. AT LAST!!!!!

[@davidoffer007]

Thanks for this amazing tutorial. I love the way you explain everything. Very thorough. This piece took my fingerpicking skills to the next level !

[@chrisdevine3511]

When I look at Guitar videos the moment someone starts taking I usually stop but I’m glad I didn’t this time. You have a gift for teaching and there’s no extraneous stuff. Thanks

[@mikefinley4367]

One of the ,most diverse guitar musicians on the planet. Great timeless tune and nice sounding guitar be it the guitar or the recording process. Check out all his vids on blues of every style.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

🙌 thanks, mike

[@justmejammin]

You've challenged me to finally get down to learning this. I've tried before, but your way of introduction is inspiring and gives me hope that with consistant effort I can do this. Thanks!

[@guyharmonica]

Dude this rock! I've been searching for something that sounds like this, and you Upload this video, thank lord! And thank you dude!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You got it! Glad this came at the right time for you. Enjoy! Cheers!

[@STASHMANA]

This is gold. So clear and well demonstrated. Looking forward to watch other tutorials from you.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Awesome, thank you!

[@jackscott1000]

Best tutorial of this song out there. Thanks very much.

[@markjohnorourke8264]

Finally. I have found a great teacher ☺ this channel rocks 🎸

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Wow, thanks! Happy to have you on board and working on these lessons! Good luck and Play On, my friend!

[@pennyallen8885]

So far you explain this style the best!

[@patrickhicks8912]

This song is the reason started finger picking 3 years ago, so glad you put this lesson together, I could never put it all together without you're help!!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

That's great, Patrick! Happy to hear that and happy to help my friend. Play On!

[@jaimemantilla5365]

Wow que está belleza de tutorial !!!no sé si algún día pueda llegar a tocarlo así de hermoso pero me encantó muchísimo gracias por compartir tu arte !!!

[@darrenmclaren7028]

Been trying to learn this for ages now and thanks to this video I'm finnaly seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

[@MateuszRulski]

I love your lesson, John! It's super cool, informative, and friendly. Thank you! :)

[@mikefinley4367]

Incredible lesson, much thanks. One of the best slow filmed demonstrations on implementing thumb base with melody. This is one of the top fun and enjoyable blues tunes.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Glad it was helpful! Play On!

[@elysium619]

Very well done! Great lesson. Clearly explained and broken down w/o superfluous, needless chatter so often seen in instruction vids. Gets to and stays on point. Bravo!

[@karlwetzel5466]

I've been playing boring songs on my acoustic guitar since I was like 8 years old. I decided it was time to take things up a notch and challenge myself. I have never really tried fingerstyle, with playing a separate bass and melody line simultaneously, and it felt totally alien to me a month ago, like I imagine learning a new, more complex language would. I've been pulling up this video every day, and taking it a measure at a time. Sometimes practicing moving between two or three notes hundreds of times until the timing sounded and felt right. I can play this intro now completely by muscle memory with my brain just about shut down. Still needs some cleaning up, but I'm having a blast! Thanks so much! I think your videos will keep me busy for a while.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Hey Karl! Thanks for letting me know and I'm thrilled that you're making progress on this wonderful tune. It's a beast but man it is worth the effort! Keep up the good work and play on!! - John

[@williamelkins7453]

Thank you for the calm and slow lesson I can watch this a bunch and not feel rushed into getting into the next thing

[@smandez2023]

What's not to love about this song? Great tutorial John!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks! And yes, awesome tune.

[@JRingo-vp5wp]

Great lesson, John! Thanks! And once again, LOVE that Larrivee!

[@nukhanlee1618]

Hey @Ringo, dyu know wot the size of this #LV baby is? 😀😍

[@marcgoyan4933]

You explain it right. Cheers Amigo

[@johnrenfrew8083]

This sounds just so good. I’ve just got to learn it. Thanks for what you do so well. Cheers x

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You can do it! Good luck, John and really appreciate you commenting and watching the lesson. Cheers!

[@jimd470]

Was confused on this for a few hours. Thank you so much for this excellent explanation.

[@sandra.wonderfulduetbull6469]

What a great teacher, nice and slow and calming voice. Thank you for sharing. 🌺💕🙏🥀❤️🇺🇸🌹🎶

[@reneperrin1628]

This is an awesome tune, with "reasonable" chords. The technique will be a good challenge. Thanks you so much for this awesome lesson.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You're very welcome! I like the "reasonable" chord reference. I am completely amazed by how much music Doc could get out of a guitar just holding a chord down and barely moving his frethand.

[@8Steady]

sweet lesson. You have a great teaching style. Thanks!

[@jayzhou104]

crazy doc created this 70 years ago without no youtube or iphones

[@stonedcrow5821]

About time this channel started attaining the subscriber numbers it deserves. It was criminally under-subbed for the longest time and I always struggled to figure out why. Excellent lesson as always, John.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

😆 thanks! Always good to see a comment from you!

[@martinsaunders2186]

Brilliant already tried and failed with other videos. Ready to take the challenge again with yours thanks for a great lesson.

[@utahprepper8925]

Excellent explanation. I've been working on learning this for decades and you have unlocked the mystery! Thanks!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Excellent! That's great news, Dave! Play On! - John

[@franciskavanagh6179]

Keep Doc Watson cookin, great lesson looking forward to more, we stand on the shoulders of giants, I'm using these videos, less climbing. Cool.

[@larryrhindress2972]

What a GREAT lesson!! Nova Scotia loves how you teach!

[@michaelgrace8359]

What a tune! Great job on the video also, John. Your videos are worth a subscription.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks for being a subscriber! And appreciate the comment, Michael. Play On!

[@michaelmcdonald3057]

I have been playing this tune in A in a kind of cheating barre chord style for years not believing I could learn the correct technique, yours is the only video that has shown me the correct way. I am very greatful and love the way you play it! Thank you from an old hacker!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you, Michael! Glad that this lesson helped. Such a fantastic song and it's definitely not easy to play. Worth all the effort though :)

[@charlesputnam9370]

I been messing around with song for years really liked this lesson . Thanks 😊

[@bills4u]

That is fun. Thanks for getting me to pick back up my guitar

[@johncalley4494]

This is one of the best guitar lessons I've ever seen on YT, thank you man for keeping this wonderful music alive!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Wow, thanks! Really appreciate the kind words and I hope you have a great day. Play On!

[@e.b.4872]

Great tutorials again... KZbin is a real source of information at that point. Thank you for your time and dedication sir !

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

My pleasure! Thanks so much, EB. Have a good one!

[@shivaiyer100]

Thanks John for the inspiration 🙏

[@dimvw484]

there is nobody online that explains it like you do; your way of explaining, demonstration is exceptionally good.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@dimvw484]

i'm saying this as a teacher myself ! I find I always come back to your lessons :) @@BluesGuitarInstitute

[@eliscofield3032]

Finally learned the whole song and it feels amazing, thanks so much for the awesome tutorial

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Great to hear! Well done, Eli!

[@nicolen.9642]

The rhythm has always been a challenge to me. It's good to have such a lesson to practice! Thanks John 🎵🎵🎵

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks, Nicole :) This one takes work for sure, but so much fun 😃

[@sixstringtwangin]

I am so diving into this one! I've spent the last week learning Nine Pound Hammer and still need to finish it, but this will probably be next. Man I wish these kind of lessons existed when I was a young teenager. Haha

[@jamesmunday2708]

really cool song and great job of explaining it! Kinda difficult to play this with the picking. Love it!

[@WhoBeSilly]

I love these phrasings man! Great video, I really appreciate it!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Yeah Doc Watson is hard to beat. Such good picking from him. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@WhoBeSilly]

@@BluesGuitarInstitute Absolutely, I am always trying to find some new and interesting blues techniques, to sort of get out of the normal 12 bar routines.

[@WhoBeSilly]

@@BluesGuitarInstitute I derived a catchy little lick from what you taught me, it is the perfect intro to a song I wrote. Thanks again, I really love this channel!

[@elijahchesterthomas5334]

Such a great teacher. Thanks.

[@stevedouglas7375]

Very nice lesson John. Much appreciated. Hey, I see you're creeping up on the big "100K." You're a sincere and humble teacher with a laid back, easy going style which is student friendly. Very refreshing. That is why you have so many followers now and will continue to grow moving towards the future. Great job.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

I appreciate that, Steve. Happy to share this great music with cool folks like yourself. So much fun. I appreciate you!

[@davenc8527]

Love this video.

[@ct4883]

Really good lesson. Thanks so much.

[@joshnova9163]

Great arrangement

[@beemanrunning977]

Great lesson! Excellent explanation. Hey, I have a Larive'e too.

[@demej00]

Had to slow down video to 50% and am getting it right. Before I was just playing what I thought was right. But it wasn't. Thanks for the great lesson. Blues is king.

[@Mike-r2b]

Best lesson for this song and I research like crazy.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks so much for commenting and I'm thrilled to hear that. Play On!

[@andrewmair7371]

XXXcellent lesson❗️Clear, concise, no mucking around…☝️🤖 Muchas Gracias 🙏

[@MikeKBradley]

Great lesson ... cheers mate! Black Mountain Pics are prob my favorite thumb pic!

[@richardjacobs8996]

Easiest how-to of any online guides: love your stuff! And have that Black Mountain pick... highly recommend.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you, Richard! Really happy to hear that you dig these lessons. Have a great day!

[@martinpetric8433]

FIRST GOOD TURORIAL I EVER SAW.... PLEASE KEEP IT UP😉

[@benkoganmusic]

What a great lesson! I teach guitar too and have watched many lesson videos. Good vibes, clear and easy to understand. Should be a template for all video tutorials.

[@criticalbible5362]

2 years later and here I found this, and I'm doing it! You are an incredible teacher.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you so much, glad it's helping you.

[@homosapien8651]

i'm still trying to play it as you do ! hahah it has been already 6 months ! for a beginner like me it's one of the hardest songs till now ! wish me luck because i'm in love with it

[@z59654]

Excellent teacher, player. Thanks. Your emphasis on getting down a couple of bars first, then looking at the rest, is really important. Once the rhythm and picking is established, it's far easier to continue it in more complex bars. The rest will flow more easily. I may try the pick. For many years, Ernie Ball Pink thumbpicks, very thin, but no longer made. I would would burn down the end to reduce pressure on my thumb and have a shorter pick, easier to move. That might not be an issue for most others now. I've played since 1961, it is for me.

[@anuraggill1162]

Thanks a lot for this great lesson. You're an excellent tutor for guitar music.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

My pleasure!

[@kapitaen_h]

Awesome lesson, thanks a lot ❤️

[@markjurdjevic3647]

Great lesson. Thank you very much. I'm getting there!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You got this!

[@user-jw2kl7cw3w]

Тhanks John, great lesson!!!

[@ShaggyOtis]

Excellent lesson man. I’ve known this one for years but fell out of practice on it. Picking me up a Martin D18 necessitated me refreshing it lol

[@donpruitt8910]

Dang good lesson man!

[@Zalsaman90]

9 Months ago i came here to learn the song. I looked at the first lick and went like "no way, ever". I've snuck that lick into my practice routine every now and then, not for any purpose but because i liked it as a stand alone lick. I kind of gotten the hang of it now. So i came back for more. See you in 9 Months when i come back for the third one.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Right on, Marcus!

[@johnbrasher1495]

I've seen a peck of DRB lessons on YT, but this is the best one yet. I'm a sub.

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Wow, thanks and welcome aboard 😎👍🎸

[@philhellmuth2771]

Same for me bro

[@richardkropman164]

Thanks for this, got the tab, getting there bar by bar!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Awesome! Good luck Richard!

[@zoeastro]

Thank you so much - very clear and easy to follow

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

You're very welcome!

[@krishnaananda3617]

Thank's a lot. The PDF ist great too.

[@SergeCeyral]

Great lesson and great guitar ! Jean Larrivée makes pretty fine instruments, and this OM model really fits the piece...

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Love my Larrivee! Thanks for the compliment. Cheers!

[@tcoudi]

after like a month i can finally kinda play the first eight bars. thanks a lot

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Nice work!

[@daniellamport8723]

great lesson!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you, Daniel!

[@simonjennings9098]

thanks that unlocked it for me!

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Glad I could help!

[@maximuswedgie5149]

Hard. Great video!

[@larrykrakow8927]

Thank you

[@stephenmel8630]

Bill Paxton? I’m glad to see you alive and well.

[@ronalddejong4136]

Top teacher. Greeting from the Netherlands🙋🏼‍♂️

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks, Ronald!

[@avonnabors]

Thanks for this

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Sure thing!

[@vantime4204]

Good lesson

[@tbone-ox8xw]

Fantastic

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@dieselman7453]

thanks my man cheers from ireland ..brian

[@heartscreature]

thank you

[@user-fb1lc8hw3m]

Superb

[@EOdesigns]

I neeed a thumbpick. Going shoppin'!

[@jetobey5656]

I usually use the Ivoroid thumbpick and ancient german silver National finger- picks. But, I agree that the "B-M" thumb pick is revolutionary. I really like your channel and, will subscribe. Nowadays, I play a Republic Parlor Rocket UFO, in polished nickel. I have vey old and beaten up hands , so the short scale is perfect for me--24 1/2" . I mostly play John Hurt style Delta blues. Thanks for the clear lesson. I don't know what I am playing; just imitate the masters and blend the Masters into what my right hand can still do..

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thanks for the comment. I would love to get one of those Republic Rockets! I haven't seen one out in the wild yet but my eyes are peeled! Thanks again and Play On!

[@annunacky4463]

Man you are a great teacher. There aren’t many...

[@BluesGuitarInstitute]

Thank you so much for that comment. It means alot friend. 🙌