Sittin' On Top Of The World - Doc Watson

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Anybody wanna learn this?

[Crossroads]

For sure I would like to learn this ! What have you got planned ?

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I have been playing this and other Doc Watson music for many years. This is probably my favourite.

I use Tuxguitar (open source) for TABs and can sit down and tab it, which is something I enjoy doing, then answer any questions, post pics or even video if needed.

This song is played in open D, which makes for a very free feeling sound and technically its not as difficult as you may imagine.

[Crossroads]

that would be great

[Broadus]

Sounds interesting.

Bill

[Backslider]

I have a good start on it, today I managed to tab the intro, first verse and part of the second verse. Should be all done some time during the week.

[RythymNBlues]

This is one of the first blues tunes I worked through, granted it was a stripped down version. Great song by the Miss. Sheiks.

[Backslider]

Originally Posted by RythymNBlues

This is one of the first blues tunes I worked through, granted it was a stripped down version. Great song by the Miss. Sheiks.

I think you will enjoy this version as it is by no means "stripped down". Granted, it will be transcribed as I play it. I have been playing it for years and rarely play it the same way twice, so it is not a "note for note" transcription of any of Doc's recordings. I did however learn it from Doc's playing, so there are a lot of licks that will be familiar, similar etc. It really is one of those tunes that, once you get comfortanble with it, you can vamp a lot and I would encourage anybody to find their own groove in playing it. Funny thing that, because as I transcribe it, I have to sit down and think and take notice of what I am actually playing, because normally there is a lot of it that I do not even think about while playing. I have not heard two of Doc's recordings of it that are the same. Its a lot of fun.

[Oconee75]

Count me in, though in addition to the tab I may need the video. Can't wait to see either or both.

[Backslider]

Ok, TABs are ready. I have saved these is Tuxguitar format, plus Guitar Pro versions 3 to 5. See down the bottom of this post for links.

I have transcribed the intro, two solos and four verses. Sometimes I play another two verses. Guitar is tuned to open D

Technically this is not that difficult a song, but sounds fantastic. I have only marked two chord positions, a two finger 1st position A chord and a 5th fret barre G chord. The rest is just free fingering taking advantage of the open tuning.

I recommend that you listen to it and sing along with it until its comfortably in your mind, then work right through its slowly to get familiar with how it progresses. There is nothing worse than getting great at one section and being lousy on the rest, so be patient and just keep working through it, spending a bit of time if some part you find particularly difficult.

If you have a question about a particular section, please mention the bar numbers which you can see on the TABs.

Most of the song has a triplet feel, except at the beginning of the second verse and a big chunk of the second solo which are straight 4/4 time. You will notice for the solo I upped the tempo just a little. Its difficult to get it sounding right on a piece of software (robot), however you should pick this up naturally when you play it, just a little faster so it doesn't drag.

You will notice that at the end of some of the sections there are four open strings played at once. I play these by striking downward across the strings with the top of my nails.

I haven't figured how to do decent sounding slides on Tuxguitar. All the slides, only the first note is plucked.

Enjoy

TuxGuitar Format
Guitar Pro 3
Guitar Pro 4
Guitar Pro 5

[rick-slo]

Good job on the tab. It would be helpful though to indicate the tuning at the top of the score, ie "Open D: DADF#AD"

[Backslider]

Originally Posted by rick-slo

Good job on the tab. It would be helpful though to indicate the tuning at the top of the score, ie "Open D: DADF#AD"

I use Tuxguitar - with it you just double click on the instrument down the bottom and it gives the tuning. Thats the normal place to put it.

[Tone Gopher]

Originally Posted by Backslider

Funny thing that, because as I transcribe it, I have to sit down and think and take notice of what I am actually playing...

Reminds me of Doc Watson in one of his instructional videos commenting when pressed to show a lick note-for-note - "This is like trying to fall off a log slow."

[zombywoof]

I have been playing the Mississippi Shieks version for as long as I can recall. Think I will just stick with it - it is like an old friend.

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Originally Posted by zombywoof

I have been playing the Mississippi Shieks version for as long as I can recall. Think I will just stick with it - it is like an old friend.

Nothing like a good friend

That's an old blues stomp version huh? Trying to find a clean recording for a decent listen.

I wouldn't mind sitting down some time to put together a delta slide version