Jorma Kaukonen teaches "Water Song"

A sample from "The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen - DVD 2" available as an instant download here: leapingbrain.c...
Jorma Kaukonen continues the exploration of the popular blues-based fingerpicking that has been his signature style throughout his long and distinguished career. Jorma starts this lesson with an in-depth breakdown of the folk/blues classic I Know You Rider. He takes the song apart measure by measure, teaching the runs, chord shapes, bass runs and right hand picking that make his arrangement of this song so special. You'll learn rhythmic figures, "back picking," double-time patterns, vibrato, accompaniment ideas, runs and licks up the neck and other invaluable playing techniques that can be used in this and many other songs.Then it's into open G tuning for Jorma's original Water Song, an instrumental showpiece that encompasses harmonized scales, octave runs, string bends, right hand rolls and other intriguing guitar moves.Finally, Jorma teaches Jesse Fuller's San Francisco Bay Blues, a ragtime-style standard that's filled with unusual guitar licks and tricks. With its infectious melody and powerful chord progression, you'll see why this song has been a perennial favorite of guitar fingerpickers for generations.This is another wonderful Jorma Kaukonen guitar lesson -- friendly, relaxed and filled with fascinating guitar lore, good songs and lots of technique to add to your fingerpicking repertoire.
Get the DVD versions of these titles at Homespun Tapes:
The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen - DVD 2
bit.ly/yrj5oe
The Acoustic Guitar of Jorma Kaukonen - Three-DVD Set
bit.ly/w7kprf

[@eviltimes1]

Before the internet, we busted our asses trying to figure this song out. I had a version in E tuning that sounded pretty good. Now, of course, Jorma shares all of this with us.

[@ffggddss]

When this came out, I figured out that it was in open-G tuning, and kind of played around to get what I thought I was hearing, and I guess I got close, but this is great, because it's definitive. You can actually watch what he does in all 3 or 4 parts of it. Another thing: If you get a chance, pick up a 12-string and try this out. It's amazing! Fred

[@sonofabeachent]

Yeah we did...key of what? lol Thought it was a 12 string at first.

[@jhandle4196]

One trick we used to pick out busy riffs was put the turntable on 16 RPMs, and play the 33 1/3 RPM records so it was at near half speed, and close enough to an octave lower.

[@justincraddock3228]

I always thought to myself, "When I can play this, I'll consider myself *good* at guitar". Well, I still suck, but thanks to this video I can play the song now. ;) Thanks Jorma.

[@allandinegar4893]

I am trying to get it down now. Ya, I know what you mean, this song, and "Embryonic Journey," were just out of my finger picking league, I thought until I saw this. I got most of it, just have to smooth it out. The one place I am kind of stuck in, is the part where he does that quick bass move on the low, 6th string, and the 5th and 4th as well, where he moves quickly, and he doesn't cover that in this sample! I'll get it, but it is a bit tricky to play it like ringing a bell at this point! It's all in the way he is finger picking it.

[@justincraddock3228]

Start open and begin the slide at the 2nd fret on 6 and 4. Drag it up to the 5th fret. Then on strings 3 and 5, do the same, but stop at the 4th fret. Finish with the first 2 chords he shows. I don't think any two people play it the same way, but that should help if I wrote it out right.

[@justincraddock3228]

Allan Dinegar Start open and begin the slide at the 2nd fret on 6 and 4. Drag it up to the 5th fret. Then on strings 3 and 5, do the same, but stop at the 4th fret. Finish with the first 2 chords he shows. I don't think any two people play it the same way, but that should help if I wrote it out right.

[@allandinegar4893]

I think it is the quickness of his fingering that makes it a challenge! Thanks for the feed back!

[@MrBKuv]

Justin Craddock, you might suck at guitar but your sense of humor is great. I'd bet you're really good at guitar.

[@LisaDawnn]

I never realized so many of his songs were open tuning (most D). I always wanted to play like him. (I s'pose liking him for 40 years was more my calling :) Jorma made the 70's so much fun!

[@lisaglynne]

"Water Song" has to be one of the prettiest songs ever written//////

[@ffggddss]

Yes! It benefits from that open-G tuning, which Joni Mitchell used kind of a lot, too. ( _Circle Game_ comes to mind, e.g.) And numerous other folk & acoustic artists have used open-G. Fred

[@RoadglideJt1]

I remember seeing Hot Tuna in concert in the 70's at Long Islands Commack arena, was one of the best n longest concert I've ever been to, all three artists would play together then come out n do solo playing for over an hr each, FREAKING memorable Concet Thanks !!!

[@robertakerman3570]

Wanted to see this since it was released.(bucket list: check)

[@chrissmith5143]

"bunch of simple things" put together. The correct picking is tough!

[@Wolf-kz2tz]

Amazing! One of my all time favorite songs; nice to watch Jorma Kaukonen explaining how to play that great song though I do not play guitar ... but I enjoy to hear it! The original on Burgers is so fantastic, with that hot bass from Jack Casady and the nice violin from Papa John Creech.

[@butchtheiw]

WOW!!! I've always loved this song, from back in the day when I'd hear it on St. Louis' KSHE 95 in the 70''s. It took me forever to a) the title, b) who plays it and c) where the hell can I find it? Try calling up a station and asking for a song that has no words and not knowing any of the above info, and it's pretty frustrating. Thanks, Jorma, for this beautiful little piece. Now, if I could just figure out where to find the instrumental music to the introduction of the 70's St. Louis channel 11 afternoon movie! Let me hum it for you and see if you can help me....

[@eviltimes1]

From Jorma I discovered the "picking" style. Made me sound like I knew what I was doing! Ha!

[@anniemz4211]

How could this possibly have any not likes. He's amazing!

[@Carrieella81]

John prine

[@Vito_Tuxedo]

The fact that there dislikes on this video - in which a brilliant guitarist generously shares his talent and technique - proves that there are people in the world who are just downright mean, stupid, and negative.

[@relars52]

Such a pleasant, dreamy song - I always loved it, now I will learn to play it...thanks to Jorma. The Solo Acoustic is very fine, even without the "Lead Bass" of Jack's (lol). Thank you Jorma, for de-mystifying this song for us. Open G, right?

[@ffggddss]

Right! DGDGBD. Fred

[@quicknessstyle]

No words, but it evokes so many feelings, both happy and sad.

[@ffggddss]

For me, and perhaps influenced by its title, it paints a picture of a nice breezy day sailing on a lake or bay. Fred

[@maupinmaupin1472]

so beautiful. Jorma is as generous as he is talented.

[@rickroscoe4734]

When I first heard this song many years ago, I knew nothing about altered tunings and just wondered how he get those sounds out of a standard tuned guitar.

[@Thetonetemple.]

jorma taught me this tune in person, at camp. Dont be intimidated by it, really. Its really just 4 or 5 motifs. Lots of repitition thru -out tune. cheers

[@willwilliams7491]

Thanks for sharing this! Always loved this song and played it many times on the jukebox back in the early 70s. Still play it on my compilations flash drive.

[@jettrink7510]

I loved The Water Song for fifty years...

[@samanthawright4210]

ME TOO

[@bd4608]

The best instrumental ever. I haven't quite mastered it even now but will sooner or later. And I don't have to sing a word! Who needs magical vocal chords anyway? This one got me through junior year.

[@stephenhenion8304]

I always wondered...Where did this guy "Come From "... his guitar was magical. .... It inspired me to get one in 1982...and I've been playing ever since. Best guitar tip ever...Dont stop playing! Pick it up, stay comfortable, Push Yourself!!!🎶🎩🎶

[@davegioiosa7577]

My favorite song since 1975.......fun song to play.......always turns heads at an open mic.....

[@robertjohnson5795]

Always loved this one. Many moons ago I tried to thrash it out in standard tuning. Of course that never quite worked. Who knew??

[@Voltaire1955]

I would strongly encourage all guitarists (especially beginners) to experiment with open tunings. With very little effort, relative to standard, students can "make" music easily.

[@ayavner]

i like this version better than the studio version. Great song!

[@jakethesnake576]

This video literally inspired me to learn guitar. Elegantly simple yet powerfully beautiful. I absolutely love this. Thank you for this post. :)

[@lastofthe4horsemen279]

Jorma has always been my guitar hero and I ran into him maybe 25 years ago in a small bar in South Carolina wanted to say so many things to him but all that came out was"You play great" oh well .Thanks for the memory and all the great playing. At least I got to meet him.

[@outfield1988]

Jorma is a master. Could listen to him all day

[@jhandle4196]

Jorma did near 50 live streams during the pandemic, lovingly called the Quarantine Concerts. Not only is it great live musical performances, but Vanessa took live question off the chat, and they recanted music history, and when Jack made road trips to join Jorma, it was really awesome Check them out.

[@nugsymalone1247]

Its a very fun song to listen to, and now looks even more fun to play. I bet that feels great

[@usmessenger3199]

JORMA IS ONE OF THE BEST GUITARIST EVER.HOT TUNA WITH JACK CASSIDY,JEFF. AIRPLANE.J.CASSIDY IS ALSO ONE OF THE BEST BASS GUITAR PLAYERS EVER.🐟😎🎸🔊🎶☮️🎼 BOB.

[@bassist448]

It truly sucks to be 15 in this generation. Even though I'm not a guitarist I'm very appreciative of great ones. Whenever I join a band I always try to turn the guitar player on to Jorma. But usually they are really closed minded and think of Hendrix as the greatest guitar player ever. Don't get me wrong, I love Hendrix, but if I had the choice to be in a band with Jorma or Jimi (In their prime) I would most likely pick Jorma. He just plays with such beauty and passion. And I greatly admire that

[@alexblock2248]

joe joe Yeah I agree it does stink but anyone wanting to play like Hendrix is not a bad choice either. But this guy is masterful as well.

[@outfield1988]

joe joe I love Jorma and Jack Casedy best of all time

[@gtrrobster]

Thanks you Jorma and HAppy for creating these lessons back in the 90s. I have all 3 lessons (on VHS-oldish school) and having JK himself teaching Water, Emb Journey, Lamps Triimed, I'll Br Alright, Mann's fate is a really lucky thing for all people who play guitar.

[@Hamletmachin]

Used to play this son so many times bacon the 70s. :)

[@dansilecchia7355]

It is funny, how great this is and yet I just heard him play it May 2020 and it just gets more and more beautiful.

[@AdamTraum]

Jorma is so amazing to me. He really does keep getting better and better! I was chatting with him some years ago and he said that teaching has made him a better player. It seems running Fur Peace Ranch has further enhanced his great chops.

[@dono1606]

Love this song! Thx Jorma for teaching me to play it

[@EmmanuelIstace]

Really great lesson, i love jorma and hot tuna, what a fu***** great song. The best with genesis i think. (In fact, every song on Quah are juste awesome :D)

[@cravinbob]

I thought I heard this song on a radio Pepsi commercial and I asked him if that was the case. He said "I wish"

[@MrUxbridge1962]

This song was used in the Maltese tourist board adverts in the U.K. in the 90’s

[@mojorayjones]

Thanks for teaching this Jorma! And thanks Homespun for posting this.

[@missyvanwinkle9247]

Music has a way of taking us right back to those experiences -- and this one was magical. Early marriage, LSD, and trying our best. Thanks for the reprise.

[@homespuntapes]

I'll try and track that down. It might be "Three Days in Chelsea" or "Killing Time in Crystal City." I will try and run it down for you all.

[@deweypug]

Sick! I love to hear this when he has slowed it down - he hits every note with PASSION! Peace Jorma!

[@staceyanimacie2539]

Open G tuning is great. It's the tuning for a mess of great Stones tunes - No Expectations, Can't You Hear Me Knockin', All Down the Line, Bitch, Brown Sugar, and Start Me Up, to name a few. Clapton's Motherless Children too.

[@mattleemattlee123]

One of my favorite tracks by the Tuna. I think this even eclipses Embryonic Journey, another great Jorma fingerpicking tune. With Jacks incredible distorted bass lines sounding like a hundred bowed double-basses, this transcends a "finger-style" guitar piece and enters the realm of all-time classic music. An atmospheric masterpiece. Fun to play, too. I did it with just a dropped D and G...much harder that way!

[@Nansbbgrand]

Beautiful guitar, both the style, and the sound of it. Jorma's playing is so relaxing, and envigorating at the same time. The mother of pearl flower detail is lovely..would love one like it!

[@outfield1988]

Jorma your playing has touched me . Thank you sir

[@brookdalebill]

Thanks! Always loved this one. I tried playing it as a pup, in standard tuning. Duh!

[@Sunshine-do3yv]

Jorma.... unbelievable artist.....Hot Tuna concerts live on in my thoughts......🌄🌄🌄🌄🌄🌻🌻🌻🌻love it🪻🪻chk out jorma Fur Peace Ranch.....very cool..⚡⚡🌞🌞🌞🌞🦝🦊🐸🦓🐻

[@wango6158]

Jormas the best! Saw him in the 70s with Hot tuna & Solo. He picks a gutar better than anyone!!!

[@jhandle4196]

"Yikes" Jorma, From the very first time I brought home the first Hot Tuna album soon after its release, you've influenced how I interact with my guitars. You made finger-picking cool again. Thank you.

[@neilcoleabq3903]

Thank you! I've been trying to learn this song for so long; this is a huge help!

[@gailatthebeach1988]

Thank you Jorma! The great amounts of joy continue :-)

[@79goldmaster1]

absolutely a standard for any picker....this is great!

[@blucat4]

Is there a version of him playing this, you know on a good guitar in high quality, without the lesson? Just the tune? Not the original with the band, this sounds better. Cheers.

[@knuckle47]

It means that someone who help to create rock music decades ago is unknown by kids today who think this hip hop crap is really music. Jorma is one of my guitar hero’s and I’m on MEDICARE... but still rockin’. Sorry to say rock is going by the wayside.

[@darrelgoodman6715]

Always have loved this man , saw him with Airplane & Poppa John Creech in '72? Lou.Ky.

[@ivanhoemartin4662]

Seems unbelievable but I think Jorma is way underrated.

[@Voltaire1955]

Actually he is well respected. He and his wife Vanessa run one of the best music camps in the world-Fur Peace Ranch, in Southern Ohio.

[@kylefrost1166]

As an early adolescent, (14-yrs.), I knew I would learn this song. However, my earliest guitar playing experience limited me to the E-minor scale, until a jamming buddy told me to drop the low E-string to a D. That STILL didn't do it, 😡❗️Many years passed, and the GRAND opportunity to see Jorma Kaukonen and Jack Casady perform the song live--before my very ears and eyes--at The Rainbow Music Hall here in Denver delivered me from ignorance. This was before the "internet" after all, (in fact, during those days the internet was the inner-lining of men's swimming-trunks, [for "log-on" purposes]), but thanx to Jorma's fingering-skills--and my proximity to him, Jorma was SHOWING ME the Fandango tuning method. That was in the 1980s, and I'll never forget the experience. Although it saddened me that Papa John Creach wasn't there, I left with a heart full of song and a mind full of direction. Thank you Jorma.

[@samredbird4225]

My son lost his job today, sent him this vid so he can be happy while he lo ok s for another position!!

[@matthewmaguire3554]

In my head doing Jacks slipping sliding rumbling base lines.🍄

[@twjrex]

JC - my sentiments exactly. It always sounded impossible for a mere mortal to play but now it's so simple it's embarrassing. Here's a plug for Jorma's DVD#3 that I purchased last week - GET IT NOW!!!

[@soulhealer20]

I found this video lesson about 20 years ago and it changed my life. I just played it yesterday at a community event where I was busking.

[@bernieritters7206]

Jorma's finger picking on this song will always put me in that special place in time with rivers of memories taking you back to the first time listening in awe 🎸🎵🎵🎵

[@04041919]

one of my favorite Tua tunes! Thx so much. Jorma! 😉

[@jmunnikhuis]

Thanks Jorma, its that easy! jk great vid

[@318Sunshine]

Love it!! Thanks so much for sharing with us

[@jeffreymueller7397]

Their was a time I loved this song oops that time is now and always!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@JTgrimteam]

Can you please tell me which song starts at the very beginning of the video ? I would really like to know :)

[@Anonanonanankin2024]

Wow!

[@kharmakreep]

I have a tendency to agree, however, that is a skill that not all possess. I wouldn't mind a superimposed tab.

[@rocknrollneverdied]

I really think that this is enough. I think people should be using their ears more than their eyes.

[@musikfanat]

Yay, Jorma! Thanks for posting this!!!

[@eddiebax]

I remember Stephen Stills dissing the Airplane way, way, way back in the day, commenting on their instrumental ineptitude. Jorma is 10 times the player that Stills is, a generous instructor, and never, ever felt the urge to hire Andy Gibb and make a half-assed pass at disco music.

[@TheSecondNature]

Christopher Williamson did stills really say that????

[@eviltimes1]

Jorma and Bob weren't druggies, either. That helps a lot.

[@doctorwhom420]

eviltimes1 sorry to tell you that you’re wrong. I know for a fact that jorma had his own problems and now is clean. Drugs and alcohol are prohibited from his guitar camp for that reason.

[@mygad]

Hence all the comments and continuing interest. - yes we should all use our ears and be expert enough to do it the way they did in the old days - simply listen to the music and be able to figure it out. Trouble is - there are more people interested in learning than there are musical savants who can simply listen and do.

[@williamchristian8389]

He is making to 2020s a lot more fun too!!

[@interstategar]

I played along in standard tuning finger picking G,D F, C, and G,D,C

[@anthonycipolla4224]

I really like this! Sort of reminds of some of Phil Keagy's work.

[@barrygaynor1025]

Well done! That's fantastic.

[@mrpual49]

Jorma is an admirable guy. The Jefferson Airplane isn't widely regarded as the very talented band that they were. Surrealistic Pillow is a great album. The group diverged artistically. Check out Jorma's Third Week in the Chelsea. It is something rare in rock music, an introspective look at the hollowness of rock stardom by a guy who would rather follow his artistic vision than fame.

[@tedpeterson1156]

This is great, but C'mon man - it's no "We Built This City" :)

[@LavransRM]

Elegant in its simplicity. If you want to find your way around an Open G tuning, this is a good starting point. I got to learn this from Jorma at "guitar camp" at the Fur Peace ranch, along with Embryonic Journey. Bass players would also do well to study Jack Casady's bass lines. Having seen Hendrix, Clapton, Jorma, Garcia, Santana, Gurley, Cippolina and many more great guitarists back in the 60's, trashing one of these guys at the expense of the others is a meaning exercise in stupidity.

[@MrBruceBarham]

yeah Kevy, I actually know a guitarist here in memphis, Eddy campbell, who learned this of vinyl in standard tuning and used harmonics and did it great..NOW we see it in open tuning, lol ever heard dave van ronks story of learning a John Hurt tune?

[@ayavner]

I like this better than the Album version with the bass and drums.. but then again i am biased towards solo acoustic stuff. This is a good video - i tuned to open G last nite and had this down in about 20 minutes.. alot simpler than it looks. Thanks for putting this up!

[@oreokookie1000]

@bassist448 Wh ere they go wrong.::..theres no 'GREATEST GUITAR PLAYER, OR GREATEST THIS OR THAT....Jimi and Jorma share alot of common blues roots, but Jorma has alot of folk influence here and years back (airplane)...how 'bout stevie ray?? tryin to compare in terms of "best" is foolish and immature...tell them to grow up!!

[@jonp93003]

Does anybody know who his guitarist was when he was touring during 1976? I played guitar at Cold Spring Tavern in the hills above Santa Barbara then when his band stopped by in 1975-6. I left a 12 string for musicians to play and I taught this one to JP's guitarist while he showed the proper way to play Embryonic Journey.

[@mrpual49]

He's not a kick. He was born in Washington D.C. where his father was a member of the foreign service. He was one of the founding members of the Jefferson Airplane. He is just a great interpreter of American roots music.

[@jakethesnake576]

@bassist448 Amen man I just turned 17. Was less than 2 when Garcia died. We really did miss alot of great music, but it was THIS video that inspired me to pick up guitar and keep the sprit alive. When I saw how simple it was, I told myself I'm going to learn this. If we dont keep the music alive, can we expect people like 50 cent and lady gaga too? I wouldnt count on it

[@lateforthesky61]

You are so right and I congratulate you on your choice. Jorma and Jimi are both great for different reasons, but Jorma brings a country blue grass and even classical fusion to his amazing fingerpicking style. Check out "Double Dose" for the electronic side of his talent, and also try Quah for his sublte quieter mellower side. A great artist...and nice guy too who survived major heroin addiction...Check his self titled website and daily thoughts.

[@bassist448]

I have listened to Bless it's Pointed Littlee Head. It was one of the first live albums that I really loved. JA is so much better live too in my opinion. And I have heard nothing but great things about 30 Seconds Over Winterlan. So I will check that one out too.

[@mygad]

A link to a tab or superimposed tab on the screen would make this a lot more helpful and encouraging there guys.

[@jsamc]

Dats what I call a professional.

[@samhavens7324]

Jorma kaukonen is in the Top 5 guitarist ever

[@thegratefulbrad3072]

Man, Jorma showed me this shit when I was a kid.

[@dbhowdy]

I checked out those songs, and I don't think they're it. But I was fooling around with it, and I think the particular riff is an E to A (major) thing.

[@CharlesMotowskiII]

excellent last line mr.pual I'm only 20 but I wish I coulda got into Jorma and even the Airplane, $hit, when I was 5! lol. Ahh well back to the guitar hahah

[@GoddessLinda1]

thank you, Jorma.... musician's prayer follows: may I be a true Artist of the Light.... or if I must play with the dark, at least do not let me threaten myself..... let me put dark and light into the music, for that is life....

[@woodledog]

Amazing

[@Kozmo260]

I remember seeing him play this on the peer by 42end street in NYC early-mid 80's. It rained so no electric band he played solo acoustic the whole time and the wet speakers kept blowing out along the way :)

[@JimiMason]

... the one and only, what-else could anyone Possibly need.., as far as learning the guitar there is no better... Peace, Jimsterjam OR aka~Jimi

[@jonp93003]

By "his" I meant Johnny Paycheck's band had stopped at Cold Spring and the guitarist and I played Jorma's music. I really want to know who JP's guitarist was.

[@jojogun1957]

Hi folks,in trying to learn this song I stumbled into Pink Floyds Fearless( off of Medal),same tuning I think.Hope I didn't side track you.

[@michaelmendillo4614]

So free !!!! this song is one I really cheerish,,,, 😁🖒

[@rsimons77777]

to answer the question, the song at the beginning of the video is called "Do Not Go Gentle", It is on Jorma Kaukonen's album called "Land of Heroes"

[@mullah06]

Truly a great sentiment, have you listensd to JA Bless It's Pointed Little Head? killer live Jorma in the heyday @ the Fillmore West