Black Mountain Rag

Doc Watson, 1964, from Doc Watson. Solo by Doc Watson.

Watson plays a fiddle tune on guitar at speed, and it became a standard test piece for flatpickers.

Black Mountain Rag shows Doc Watson taking a fiddle tune and playing it on guitar at breakneck speed. His flatpicking is clean, precise and relentless, with every note ringing clearly despite the tempo. Watson's approach helped establish the guitar as a lead instrument in bluegrass and old-time music, where it had mostly been used for rhythm. The tune became a standard test piece for flatpickers, and many learned it note for note from his recording. His tone is bright and crisp, with a strong, even attack. Listen for how he keeps the melody clear even at high speed, and for the subtle variations he adds to repeated sections.

Black Mountain Rag by Doc Watson is featured in our Bluegrass (#1) list. The solo is played by Doc Watson and the song was released in 1964.

In our lists

• Genre Champions — #2
• Beyond the Canon — #2
• The 20 Greatest Bluegrass Guitar Solos — #1
• The Best Doc Watson Guitar Solos — #1

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