If you love Doc Watson’s clean, melodic, and soulful flatpicking, this lick is for you.
In this lesson, I share a descending dominant D lick inspired by Doc’s unmistakable style — full of double stops and chromatic movement that create beautiful tension before resolving to G.
It’s a short phrase you’ll hear often in bluegrass and fiddle tunes, but the way Doc played it made it sound timeless: simple on paper, yet rich and expressive in tone.
🎸 Why This Lick Works
It’s based on the D7 sound, the perfect dominant chord before resolving to G.
The chromatic descent gives it a strong sense of movement and anticipation.
The double stops make the line sound full, giving that signature “two-guitar” sound Doc often achieved with just one flatpick.
You can use this lick anytime you move from D to G — in endings, transitions, or even as part of your improvisation. It’s a classic sound every flatpicker should have under their fingers.
🎥 Watch the Lesson
I break it down note by note in my new YouTube video:
👉 https://youtu.be/J4GaXg11sq8
You’ll see exactly how the lick works, how to phrase it smoothly, and how to make it sound musical at any tempo.
If you’d like to explore more Doc Watson–style ideas, I’ve got hundreds of lessons, tabs, and play-alongs available inside my channel or at my online store.