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“Nothing To It” In the Style of Billy Strings

Lesson ID: A0201

In this guitar lesson, you’ll learn how to play a variation of the song “Nothing To It” written by Doc Watson in the style of Billy Strings. This song is loaded with some classic Doc Watson style guitar licks that you can use when you’re improvising guitar solos in the key of C. The guitar riffs and melody line walks in this song use some unusual note combinations which will really help push your flatpicking to the next level.

If this song is a bit out of your comfort zone, we recommend trying to learn it at a very slow pace. Focus on getting clean pick strokes, relax the grip on your guitar pick, and pick each note softly. This practice method will help you build the right technique and muscle memory — your picking speed and volume will develop over time. Overall, this is a great song for working on flatpicking technique!

Overview

Playthrough with TAB

Gear Used in This Lesson

Bluegrass Series Mid Tension / Acoustic Guitar Strings

https://woodtonestrings.com/product/classic-triangle-pick-1-0mm-3-pack/

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Aleksander Freberg
Aleksander Freberg(@drnovak)
3 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Hi Devin, great work, can you add tabs for the end part also? (1:18 – 1:23 in the overview video)

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
2 years ago

yes would LOVE to get the tabs for the end lick please !!

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
2 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thank you Devin!!! Your web site is the best! i just upgraded to 6 month plan. Merry Christmas to All !

Michael Graham
Michael Graham(@jambongris)
1 year ago
Reply to  Devin

End lick is the most difficult part of this piece IMO so yes, a play through w/tab video would be appreciated Devin if you have the time.

Michael Graham
Michael Graham(@jambongris)
1 year ago
Reply to  Devin

With regard to my last request for a “playthrough” lesson for the end lick, don’t bother. I will endeavour to keep practising it until it somewhat resembles the way Devin plays it.

kevendhofmann
kevendhofmann(@kevendhofmannyahoo-com)
3 years ago

Doc Watson was the greatest flatpicker, if your a Doc fan you’ll love this one thanks Devin.

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago
Reply to  kevendhofmann

Doc was one of the Best, and never had the gift of sight I admire his work Highly!

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago

GREAT Flatpick tune can’t wait to jump into this one… Thx Devin !

jerseychicadee
jerseychicadee(@jerseychicadee)
3 years ago

Lovin’ this one, Devin! I’m getting brave here.

George Lange
George Lange(@georgeanddoris66hotmail-com)
3 years ago

This song sounds great Devin! I can hardly wait to learn this excellent lesson

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago

Great add Devin ! can’t wait to dive into this one! THX 🙂

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago

How come every time I try to post something it gets deleted?? I am a paying member

Last edited 3 years ago by Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago
Reply to  Devin

Thx Devin !

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
3 years ago

Great lesson can’t wait to jump all in !

Alice
Alice(@alicelarhotmail-com)
3 years ago

Great lesson, Devin! Thanks. Doc Watson is one of my favorites, as is Billy Strings.

Aleksander Freberg
Aleksander Freberg(@drnovak)
3 years ago

Love this one!
Am I the only one missing tabs on the ending at 1.18 in the overview vid

George Lange
George Lange(@georgeanddoris66hotmail-com)
3 years ago

The last part at 1:18 forward could be tabbed out as well please

Brett Steinbeck
Brett Steinbeck(@brettsteinbeck)
2 years ago

I worked 1 hour each day and learned this lesson in a few weeks !! now I have to work on the speed, thanks for posting Devin. Can you point us to where the ending lick is ?

j.phillips189
j.phillips189(@j-phillips189btinternet-com)
2 years ago

looks like fun-

Quenten Rivera
Quenten Rivera(@quenten00)
2 years ago

why am i not able to print this lesson is it because im new, please reply thank you

sandro donda
sandro donda(@sandro-donda)
1 year ago

yesss!!!

Carl Salah
Carl Salah(@countryjoe)
1 year ago

Can I have a video to end lick to see how you go about it really enjoyed learning song .

Michael Graham
Michael Graham(@jambongris)
11 months ago

This is the one that made me sign up for CGO. The “teaser” first part as taught with TAB and Devin’s instruction got me so keen to learn the rest that I had to sign up and then when he added an ending too, well that was icing on the cake. Thanks to Devin for this arrangement and to Billy Strings for his original composition.

Tamara Pawlowicz
Tamara Pawlowicz(@mario17)
2 months ago

Great lesson 🙂