British guitarist reacts to Merle Travis INVENTING his own picking technique!

Tonight I'm taking a look at Merle Travis in 1951 and the origins of 'Travis picking'!
Original video - • Merle Travis Nine Poun...
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[@girlintheglen]

Merle Travis was my father’s guitar hero, and worked to achieve the thumb picking technique. He used to say that although Chet Atkins was a consummate technician, Merle played from the depths of his soul. I think you can hear it.

[@highnrising]

Merle is probably most famous for writing "Sixteen Tons," which became a monster hit for Tennessee Ernie Ford, who sang it on his TV show.

[@rockhard2654]

THIS IS THE MAN CRUCIAL,CRUCIAL PLAYER IN THE HISTORY OF THE INSTRUMENT this is when playing guitar in country music became a serious game

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

Brilliant singing and guitar playing, these old country guitarists were simply amazing. Thank you for keeping Merle Travis's memory alive.

[@Keranu]

Love your mad respect for pre-1960's musicians. Especially when you point out the lack of feedback.

[@wayne-brock7515]

For many years, I've heard from my Dad telling me just how good Merle Travis was along with Doc Watson, and Les Paul and Chet Atkins. I've heard Chet Atkins as a child and Les Paul when I was a teenager. It wasn't till 1994 when I was 28 I went down and bought my first album of Merle Travis. Man, I was amazed of his playing. And it wasn't till the year of 2000 when I heard Doc Watson for the very first time. My Dad is also a guitar player like Chet Atkins. Thank you Fil for another fantastic Guitar Player. He too was one of the greatest of all times. Merry Christmas Fil and God Bless.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem! Thanks Wayne, you too!

[@randybailin4902]

Merle is THE seminal figure in finger style, country, bluegrass picking. All roads lead back to him.

[@shagrabs]

Nothing better than Good ol' country music specially by Merle Travis, we have seen here Fil in your videos the amount of country artist that you have analyzed the amount of technique the all have, they all have been entertaining with their performances. Thanks for this video

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@rtt1961]

Love the way you have such a fine appreciation of all the greats, no matter the style or time.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@BOOMNERD51]

Fil this was great! in 1973 my first guitar teacher showed me "exta fingered" Travis picking for "Wildwood Flower," and "Soldier's Joy". I was lousy at rythm on "Soldier's Joy." I enjoyed the video and seeing the two hands in action!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@TheJabernet]

These older vids are awesome Fil. Thanks!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@peteleoni9665]

You do realize you are seeing the birth of guitar genius. No band needed or wanted, all bases are covered.

[@pauljohnson7382]

This was so slick! Clear but subtle picking, rock steady vocals. Very nice. Great choice Fil! 🤘

[@wingsofpegasus]

🤘☺

[@razorking4667]

Merle Travis IS THE MAN!!! Thanks Fill for bringing him to us!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@39thala]

Glad to see you did another Merle video. His smooth laid-back southern style is great!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@39thala]

@@wingsofpegasus In fact, as many Merle videos as you want to do, the better, lol. Love watching and listening to Merle. If you get a chance, check out his performance of "Too Much Sugar for a Dime". In addition to showcasing him, his steel player and fiddle player doing some great picking, it's also a fun duet he sings with his wife at the time, Judy Hayden. (Judy was already an established singer as well). It's a great video!

[@kensod6034]

9 pound hammer 🔨 His slides... Back and forth.. His ole time turn arounds.. Beautiful... Tight.. Lead runs with chord pull away... Up and down the fretboard... Thanks professor

[@jonnyroxx7172]

Brilliant Fil! In the manner of American comedian Jeff Foxworthy: "If you have a guitar technique named after you, that Millions of people have been playing for almost 70 years, You might be a Genius." Peace. JR

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@carbine090909]

Love it! I remember John Prine's version which is also really upbeat. Dang though, I looked up the lyrics - it's a prison song! Thanks for prompting me to dig into it. Lead Belly has a version he sang while doing labor in prison for real. Incredible how history is immortalized in song.

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@roberthorn333]

What a wonderful talent! Lindsey Buckingham also cites Merle Travis as an influence.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@capismama2922]

You went WAY BACK for this one....and yep, I grew up listening to him. Between him, Chet Atkins and Don Gibson, I've heard some amazing guitar work in my life. And Happy Christmas to you.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool! You too!

[@hkguitar1984]

Fil, your commentary is unlike any I've anything I've ever come across before. Totally amazing in all aspects, you don't "Miss a Beat" (pun intended). Again, Thank You

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@danw1955]

Great review Fil.. Merle was definitely at the top of his game with all that he was doing here. The fact that he could do an audible slide up into another chord just goes to show how good the resonance was on some of those old flat tops without actually having an internal pickup.😁👍

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@RooftopsofAmerica]

The lyric about " along way to Harlan... just to get a little brew," made me smile. Harlan County, KY, (the heart of coal mining in Kentucky at one point) was, and I think still is in certain places, a dry county.

[@jamesatipton2432]

I used to sneak to Hazard&Vicco to get a little brew. I think Harlan (city ) was wet and Harlan ( county ) was dry.

[@drewpall2598]

Nice performance By Merle Travis, vocally and guitar strumming. great analysis Fil.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@ipsurvivor]

Merle was so good welling up tears 😭 in me... So creative with the lead parts.. very pleasant harmonies in the lead Part itself... Aces!!! 👍

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@CutterJ]

...nice feature of Merle here, Fil...I was inspired to write one my recent songs, "The Coal Miner" after reading about him... enjoyed it, friend... Cutter

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@ToneCanyon]

Thats so funny. I was just teaching this technique today! I was working on Julia by the Beatles, and i was talking about travis picking, and then realized ive been off by one string for the last 20 years!!!

[@mikecarrino4778]

Thanks for putting out another video of an important guitarist that influenced many great musicians really enjoy your breakdowns of each players style please react to Rick Derringer thanks

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha cool!

[@substrate001]

When I first heard of "Travis-picking", I thought it was about the shape your fingers made or some such. Of course, I was ~10 yrs, my oldest uncle was teaching me to play, and I was already studying drums, so I loved Buddy Rich(cause of The Tonight Show), Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Led Zep (my 2 youngest uncles had just returned from 'Nam) and had NO interest in Country or Bluegrass. I didn't believe him at first, then felt stupid, when he told me Travis picking was named after the guy who invented it. Of course when my uncle started showing me Glen Campbell, Roy Clark, etc my tune changed real quick, to use a bad pun. My uncle RIP was a gentle, soft spoken guy, but when he let his fingers fly on that old Martin (as opposed to showing me 'cowboy' chords), needless to say that shut me up quick. I'll never forget him playing some classic stuff like Cannonball Rag, etc. Then one time he brought his Fender amp & Tele, which I HAD NO IDEA HE EVEN OWNED, and started playing Zep & Sabbath like it was nothing: all the barre chords, power chords, and crazy-ass lead runs. I *_think_* (not sure) he even played some folk stuff in DADGAD! Been addicted to great guitar playing ever since!!! I miss him... 🤠🎸

[@wingsofpegasus]

Nice!

[@Weaseldog2001]

If you listen to the acoustic parts of Zeppelin Songs, you'll hear Merle's influence.

[@wranglers2]

You should listen to him play Cannonball Rag. OMG.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@Beethovenfan12]

One of the things that captured me was the way his bass accompaniment sounds like a bass fiddle! If I had heard this on the radio, pretty sure I would have thought it was. I'm not at all versed in all the ins and outs of stringed instruments (I'm a pianist), so I've really enjoyed your suggestions on what to listen for, and your explanations on why they are worth listening to! Great video, as always.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@ORagnar]

A laid back, early 1950s country house. He's a quality guitarist.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@KE4YAL]

Very good I really like Merle Travis playing he was really gifted player I like the way you analyze in all your videos thanks

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Jerry!

[@kodiakfamily8032]

Great video - love your history lesson! It's amazing that he can sing and play like that at the same time.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@MisterRlGHT]

The late Buster B. Jones has a remarkable video on YT where he explains the evolution of Kentucky thumbpicking by playing three choruses of the same tune in the respective styles of Merle Travis, Chet Atkins, and Jerry Reed; seems like he titled it something like Buster B Jones Heroes. Merle Travis's instrumental version of Sheik of Araby may be the most dazzling solo guitar performance I ever heard, and I've heard a lot. I sometimes suspect him of monkeying with the recording speed to sound faster ... and even if he did, it's astounding how he can swing so fast.

[@movievaudeville]

A lot of important players came out of that area. Merle, Bill Monroe, Ike & Margaret Everly (parents of Phil and Don, Ike played Western Ky thumb-picking style too), Porter Grainger (who wrote "How to Play and Sing the Blues" and accompanied Bessie Smith and Mamie Smith), Grandpa Jones, Moses Rager/Kennedy Jones/Remus Wilson who all have been credited with or claimed to have invented that guitar style, Arnold Schultz who influenced Bill Monroe and others, and many more.

[@jazzcat8786]

Great song!! Great playing! He makes it look so easy 🤟🏻. There is a statue of John Henry and his 9 pound hammer in West Virginia.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍😁

[@johnnielson7676]

Wow, great segment, Fil!. I love that in so many episodes you emphasize the importance of practice and hard work as the key to becoming an exceptional player. One may learn a new riff or technique, but to really nail it requires a consistent, concerted effort. Besides Mose Rager, Merle also learned guitar from another Black country blues guitarist, Arnold Schultz. Arnold also taught the bluegrass greats Bill and Charlie Monroe, as well as Ike Everly, the father of Phil and Don.

[@mariorabottini5687]

He’s my mates all time favourite! And I can see why... just an incredible musician! Can’t help tapping your foot along with him! A voice a guitar and a bag full of talent!! Awesome Fil!😀😀👌👌👌

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍😁

[@markbouquet1316]

Hi Fil, Great one to bring up! But he learned that style from my mother in laws great uncle. Mose Rager. Merle’s monument was right in front of a church on Merle Travis Highway. My mother in law lives about 200 feel off of that road. But Mose had a old movie made about him and a book I bought off of Amazon about a year ago. He’s called Kentucky’s Guitar Master. His monument sat about 50 yards away from Merle’s. If you’re going to play Merle, you need to play his son out of Wedlock. In 2017 I was at the Merle Travis Music Center on a road called the Drakesboro/Cleaton cut off. But on the 4th of July in 2017, they celebrated what would have been Merle’s 100th birthday. Thom Bresh is his son out of wedlock and I can tell just how incredible he still is. I have such a short recording of Thom from that date because I was so blown away, I didn’t think to record. This man would be 71 now and two years ago when he was 69, he was still a studio musician. Thom was playing some of the most incredible music and carrying on and joking like it was just a walk in the park. He made one joke that where he said, “I’m gonna butcher a Jerry Reed luck.....that’s the way I like to do it.” The entire time he was playing the most difficult stuff I’ve ever seen. Fil, we all know that today we have effects which you commented on Ted Nugent once not having the gain or delay. His first solo record with Derek who I shared studio space with when he was in Chicago Illinois back in the mid eighties was true. But right on that album I’m the back of the LP album, Ted lists what his set up was. 7 Fender Twin Reverbs plus the 7 cabinets and a Gibson Byrdland Guitar “with no toys in between to mess up the signal.” Vintage Ted. But I’m telling you that as fast as an Yngvie is, to to these licks with all these insane chords that were happening I still believe it is so unorthodox of a style, that even Yngvie would have his work cut out for him. Thom Bresh did some runs that were on an acoustic with zero effect that were as fast I’ve ever seen. And with chords that were happening too.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@mistergrandpasbakery9941]

I watched this last evening. Once again I want to thank you for putting the spotlight on Country Music performers from yesteryear. The best I've ever seen from him, surprisingly, was without his guitar. He sang baritone on the song Gone Home as part of the Hee Haw Gospel Quartet. They were backing Archie Campbell in that song. It was a breathtaking performance!

[@bearbryant3495]

I had the honor of seeing Merle play when I was just a kid. An American original.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Cool!

[@richirvine4519]

I remember when I was in High School circa 1965-66 a friend told me about "Travis Picking" in regards to folk music. I did know a little Chet Atkins style but had never heard of Merle Travis. Once I heard his playing and singing of "Nine Pound Hammer" on some country station I was hooked and wanted to learn his style but I didn't know about him only using is right hand index finger and usually none of the others. Thanks for posting this music video.

[@fayedunbar2912]

Merle Travis was from my neck of the woods in Ky. . He and a local guy Mose Rager use to play together. Both played thumb picking.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@joealbert7773]

There was an episode of He-Haw where Merle and Roy Clark played together. You could tell Roy thought a lot of Merle.

[@markwolfe572]

So glad to see someone who appreciates a true talent!

[@savedbychrist3985]

I was doing Travis picking and I never knew it till now. I lose my picks a lot so I started to self teach finger picking. Then i used both, which is hard, I haven’t been able to properly play using it, but practice practice practice!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@sheilaf5732]

Learning finger picking. Turns out this travis style thumb and one finger picking really works for me. I now play using this technique.

[@jayethompson3414]

My uncle was telling me a story today about playing at a fiddle fest in Tahlequah, Oklahoma, in the 70’s. There was an older man playing a Martin just slaying it…it was THE Merle Travis.

[@nevermeanttofade]

Merle is my genuine 2nd cousin. Great video, thanks!

[@ronvonryan]

My favourite guitarist, also a great song writer, he had it all.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@kevdean9967]

Thom Bresh Travis's son said Mance Lipscomb was a big influence on Merle. Merle plays Re-enlistment blues in 1953's Oscar winner for best picture From Here To Eternity.

[@gerryhill4820]

Worth pointing out, too, that he's heavily damping the bass, a technique that, facilitated by the thumbpick, adds a pronounced percussive effect--which makes the distinction between the parts played by the thumb and index finger that much more distinct. He really was a marvel.

[@robairbarbeau4409]

Fil I was looking for a Merle Song on KZbin , and here you are, Wow you are amazing and like always well informed, Thank you

[@callmejeffbob]

Thanks Fil; always love to hear Merle Travis. "Nine Pound Hammer" was one of his famous coal miner songs along with "Dark as a Dungeon" and his most famous song "Sixteen Tons". Tennessee Ernie Ford had a HUGE hit with his cover. It's too bad the source film had a little flutter but it's still great to hear him play one of hid great songs.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@likhound]

Loved it , I've always been a Merle Travis fan. I spent many hours , days and years learning his style .

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@jimmoulton9878]

This guy can really play, He really has a lot going on.Best,Jim

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@gianninisim3894]

You're the best thing KZbin has, so fascinating choices with amazing taste in music, professional explanations, I have to thank you again and again,

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@JackCerro]

Hearing this alternating bass style got me thinking about Mississippi John Hurt. There's some good video of him playing, Spike Driver Blues on Pete Seegers "Rainbow Quest" program.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@bekind6763]

Fil, Your enthusiasm for all of the video's & analysis make my day/night. I can tell you put a lot of effort in everything you do, it's very entertaining, informative & we get a history lesson sometimes as well.Thank you! ♥✌

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem Kathy!

[@drewpall2598]

Kathy Prior, I could not agree with You more! when it come to music analysis Fil, is the best.

[@RonWesterbeek]

Good that you put your finger on the right error Fil , explains a lot . This was a one take film with one ? mic wasn't it. Thanks

[@eugenegurevich1896]

Hey, Fil! Thx for the great videos! Please consider doing a reaction on Anton Oparin's shredding technique - it's really breathtaking!

[@prezbokane3988]

Second this, the dudes technique is flawless.

[@razorking4667]

@Eugene Gurevich WOW, thanks for sharing mate! He's a great guitar player!!! Would love to see a breakdown of his performances!

[@eugenegurevich1896]

@Razor King No problem, brother - would love to see that breakdown too!

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@cryptocrush-823]

I was just thinking how funny it would be to see you giving commentary at a concert, live! You have found your niche in life, and your quite good at it😄

[@wingsofpegasus]

Haha thanks!

[@MostlyBuicks]

Both my grandmother and one of my uncles on my dad's side played in this two finger style. They are now all long gone. There may be only a couple more like me who can even remember either of them playing guitar. My memory of them goes back to when I was 2 or 3 years old.

[@LewisSkeeter]

Cannonball Rag blows me away.

[@patwalker157]

thanks for reviewing this!

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@jrberg327]

Fil, I’m still relatively new to your channel here and I thought I had a pretty wide range of taste when it comes too music genres,but dang you are helping me in pushing that door open a little more with each and every video of yours I watch,keep that music passion coming.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Jim!

[@weldman7164]

Merle was the great Doc Watson's idol even named his son after him.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@rickycarter7154]

You are absolutely correct about Doc and Merle. My dad could pick like Merle Travis, and I wanted to be like Dad. After many years of playing and watching others, I developed a hybrid Travis style that works fine for me. I found Doc Watson on the first "Circle" album. There's a really cool part on that record where Doc and Merle T. meet for the first time in the studio. I watched Doc and his influences for years. Another guy he liked was "Blind Boy" Fuller (Piedmont Blues). If you like Doc you should listen to him. It's a bit more primitive, but you will hear his influence. Sorry if I got a bit wordy, just trying to help.

[@gregmardon6973]

this guy's a legend and is really considered to be one of the father's if you will of what later became known as country and western, many of these musicians actually came from Kentucky, West Virginia, and Tennessee where coal mining was what many of the men in these states did for a living. Back in them days without OSHA and absolutely no advocates it was a very dangerous way to make a living, bluegrass, blue's, mountain music, have much of their roots in coal mining. This dude can sure pick a guitar, and sing just as well!!!!

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@BlindSniperz]

Nice one Fil. I'm just going to throw this out there and see if it sticks. 3 piece band, Consider The Source - "Moisturize The Situation" (7/13/12 Worcester, MA). Swear there is a theremin and xylophone? built into his upper guitar at times ;) Cheers

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@thomaskline]

A comment farther down about Doc Watson is funny. In the Nitty Gritty Will The Circle Be Unbroken album Doc and Merle met for the first time Travis told Doc how much he admired his picking. Doc replied, “I named my son after you!”

[@doobeedoo2]

I love the smash up arrangement & bittersweet quality of Nine Pound lyrics. Glen Campbell covered the song both early in his career on a 12 string (on youtube) and also on his 1980s TV show. In the latter, he added a talking backgrounder and video of loaded up coal dollies and such and vocally conveyed a little bit of the frustration and sadness of the situation. Coal Miner's Daughter is set early on in a coal mining town and conveys a sense of place fairly well, as does Loretta Lynn's voice.

[@EdwinMcCravy1]

On top of that fabulous playing, Merle Travis wrote the song and the lyrics.

[@NickRatnieks]

"Well, roll on Buddy, don't you roll so slow..." In case folk don't know, Buddy is a mule- not Travis's woman pulling that wagon. One other important thing to know - you never play barre chords when you Travis pick. Merle Travis was a genius, but he was a very troubled man and he wrote that he wished he could be a lot more like Johnny Bond who had a hit with two of his compositions way back in .1947- one of a number of very un-PC songs Travis wrote- Divorce Me COD and So Round So Firm, So Fully Packed (That's My Girl). I have to say playing the 1962 album "Travis" and singing along to all these early Travis tunes that he reprises- like Fat Girl is a real joy- it is one of my favourite Travis albums. Go for it! www.discogs.com/Merle-Travis-Travis/release/4030163 Here's one of the songs- Ricky Skaggs did this in his shows: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKHQhYiihbapg5I And finally- Travis and Johnny Bond together: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rF7MfIylm8qBbZY

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@billwhite1966]

All that complication coming out of that right hand... Nothing but thumb and index finger... Nothing short of miraculous

[@mikejohnson5837]

Merle just makes it look easy doesn't he?! What a great artist! And I'd like to have 2 of those Bigsbys one to sell and one to keep for myself lol. Loved it! Thanks.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@SeemsFutileNow]

Just sets me free

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@Diosprometheus]

All you guitar players who have had a teacher tell you not to use your thumb take note that one of the greatest players in history uses his thumb to play those tricky baselines. Another great profile Fil of one of the most influential guitarists in history.

[@stevetrivago]

Great work as usual Fil..

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks Steve!

[@delhidelirium9091]

Dunno why this picking technic reminded me of things we do in ´fado` , chords and sound in general is completely different though ... quite interesting, also , reminded me of when I was a little kid and my father had all these old boys ( some of them guitar teachers , just bonding over a few bottles and a lot of music , both traditional and beatles songs, Americana ... you name it ... again ,very interesting video, I had never heard of this geezer ,mind you . Cheers !

[@wingsofpegasus]

No problem!

[@aumphp]

ty Fil great vid and history of guitar playing you have done so far. You should make a comment on wikipedia on his playing have a great day rock on you and have fun out there .

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@stargazer1460]

👍😎 I love watching some of these old cats playing it solo.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@ipsurvivor]

Fil, I highly recommend Joe Maphis and The Collins Kids. Joe mentored a very young Larry Collins and Larry also performed with his older sister. The two acts were closely connected and performed on the same circuit during the mid Fifties to late 50s... Joe Maphis was much older so had been around for awhile. They both played Mosrite double neck guitars. Most people don’t know about them though they (Larry and his sister) been to Great Britain as part of The Rockabilly revival in your country. The film quality and audio quality varies but Joe Maphis was certainly up there with Al Dimeola in terms of speed... Larry played more of a rock style and actually parodied some of rock players’ excesses way back in the 50s... Way ahead of their time. Also Fil, Joe Maphis and Merle Travis were close lifelong friends and played together live many times as they were on the same circuit that many Country/Western performers were on. Maphis also was a virtuoso player of violin/fiddle, mandolin and banjo. Maphis, like Travis, was also more than just a shredder and could “tell a story” and build song dynamics into everything he played. I’m a little perplexed as Maphis seems to have used different techniques with a single plectrum. Moving up and down from the elbow in some videos and moving from the wrist in other videos. I would be curious to hear your analysis of Maphis ‘s playing as well as Larry Collins’s playing. There’s so much going on with Maphis and Collins... Collins kind of disappeared as Rockabilly kind of went away though it was foundational for The Beatles especially. He still plays with his sister though as far as I know. It also can be tough being a child prodigy... But he (Larry) had truly adult skills when he was ten... As good or better than anyone out there.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@ipsurvivor]

Wings of Pegasus - I watched your live stream and it was excellent. I did have an issue when I tried to get on the live chat. I would get bounced out of KZbin entirely and my like button would turn to gray so I would press like again. Also when you said how many likes you had the number was smaller on my side. I’m assuming it’s something KZbin is doing. Sorry 😐 to even mention it but thought you might want to know about it. This has happened to me on other channels and there does seem to be consistent problems with live streams and KZbin when combined. I also am limited to a mobile device for the time being so that might be part or all of it. I’ll definitely try to watch your livestreams if I’m not indisposed but it would be nice to to post during live chat but I know these glitches can take time to get resolved. Thanks for the time you take with me. I’m mainly a homebound person mainly due to an auto accident in 2006...

[@willykanos1044]

Interesting bit of history: Doc Watson learned the Travis style of finger picking - thumb and first finger only. He was also a master of the flat pick. Watson thought so much of Merle Travis that he named his son after him. Actually, Merle Watson's name was Eddy Merle after Eddy Arnold and Merle Travis.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Yeah!

[@davesmith7993]

Merle had Martin build his D-28M guitar with the headstock Bigsby designed for him. Leo Fender obviously liked the design with the tuners on top because his guitars "borrowed" the idea. My mom had his "album" of 78 rpm records in paper sleeves with this song and his song he didn't like "16 Tons" until Ernie Ford made it a #1 hit and Merle a lot of money. "Buddy" was the minor's old mule that pulled the loaded coal car with "the wheel that won't go". Merle grew up in the same coal mining area of Kentucky as Ike Everly and his boys. Ike was a respected finger style guitarist as well.

[@eternalme6077]

So high SWEET AND CLEAR when He jumps into a little lead riffing. He is such a GIANT in the Guitar World, and what a Great Voice as well. Fil, I'm the guy who STUPIDLY suggested the Session Guitarist's for Steely Dan, now I know why you haven't, Because There's No Footage of them Playing those INCREDIBLE LEADS! MY BAD...........in a way, that's such a shame. There are a couple Of them though, there's Danny Dias, Skunk Baxter ( Reeling in the Years ), Larry Carlton's ( kid Charlemagne) But there's Many More that we just can't see........ Anyways LOVE your Channel I Dig the Guitarist's you feature And the way YOU get into them! Keep - em Coming 🎸💚

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@katherinea.rodgers8366]

Another gem. Thanks, Fil.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@raleighwelborn4009]

I am actually a 2nd cousin to Merle Travis. From right here in Muhlenberg county KY. Merle Started this style as did Mose Rager & Ike Everly.

[@leifwallin6024]

Another great choice Fil. Check out one of his friends Joe Maphis. Flying Fingers indeed.

[@wingsofpegasus]

Thanks!

[@smokindauberdoo4204]

THANKS AGAIN FOR SHARING FIL

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍😁

[@billsmith3471]

Doc Watson was also a thumb and one player,

[@TruthSurge]

I can see the thumb work and then the index is hitting downbeat first then upbeat. man, I wouldn't be able to do that right away. I'd need to train my darn thumb first. All these guys used thumb picks.. Jerry Reed. Travis. Chet Atkins. hmmmm Good vid, Fil. Some would agree that the major key and smile is a great contrast to the lyrics and some would say that the music is not right for the lyrics. It's just subjective. Probably, they did tons of songs with just 1, 4, 5 so they could sing a song about lost love or dying and you just have to take the lyrics and listen. Look at George Jones' tune, He Stopped Loving Her Today. 1, 4, 5. But it's about a guy who died, not a guy who left her. So, many songs don't have sad music in those olden country days. But even in a maj key, a well-timed minor chord can help keep it from sounding TOO happy. I'm gonna try this Travis picking right now! hahah

[@TruthSurge]

I did it but it wasn't smooth. :(

[@STL-sl7zv]

Lol I began travis picking 5 years ago. It literally took 3 years of practicing thumbing the base tp a metronome with no lead or melody notes before I gained some thumb independence. It sounds great, but its a very tricky style to play right.

[@Realrebitsch]

This is something i noticed, but it may just be my opinion. It happens a lot when white musicians play these african-american style 1-4-5 based songs (this, john henry, frankie and albert, crow jane, railroad bill, etc.). While this is extremely impressive technically, in my opinion it misses out on a lot of nuance. The african-american style of playing these kind of progressions is slower, and much more syncopated, with a heavy emphasis on the 2 and 4 beats. This creates a sort of a meditative, "limping" groove, that is missing here. There is also a slightly different set of licks and musical language; the thumb tends to jump to the octave instead of the 5th, the 6th is played a lot, and more dominant chords and dissonant passing notes are used in african-american versions. That way the same major progression sounds dignified and komplex instead of silly and cheesy. Check out Mississippi John Hurt, he does this the best i think. I think "country" fingerpickers do the best when they play in minor or dorian (shady grove, wayfaring stranger, murder ballads, etc.)

[@Hickbilly9]

You nailed it! Merle's two finger pickin' is pretty good. He lived just a few miles down the road along with Mose Rager too. I always wondered why they described his playing wrong and I grew up with it. It just baffled me. I was like no! Lol...

[@wingsofpegasus]

😂👍

[@greglarry11]

Travis was a tremendously talented man. He was a terrific songwriter. He only wrote "16 Tons," and "Dark as a Dungeon," he'd of gone down in history. But he was a great guitar player, artists and overall entertainer.

[@ejcm55]

He accompanies his own playing.

[@waynejones3428]

Good one Fil ! 👏 🎄

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍☺

[@catherinelynnfraser2001]

He had such strong hands and he used them to spectacular effect.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@TheAcworthdude]

Him and Chet and Mother Maybelle played together a-lot .Imagine sitting in the crowed :)

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍😁

[@PozerAdultRacingTeam]

I have been heard of him.Think my dad used to play it on an LP.

[@wingsofpegasus]

👍

[@robertrobles4028]

Merle is giant of fingerpicking guitar. He sites Mose Rager as an early important guitar influence on him.

[@willykanos1044]

A couple things: Merle had a Fender neck grafted onto his acoustic guitar so he could make it fret easier than a conventional acoustic. You can see the Fender headstock in this video. Doc Watson also played Travis style with thumb and first finger. He learned it from Travis' records. He was so impressed with Merle Travis that he named his son Eddie Merle. Eddie for his other hero, Eddie Arnold and Merle for Merle Travis. That came out on the album, "Will The Circle Be Unbroken". It was the first time Watson and Travis met.

[@michaelhogan6770]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmfPZHqBg5t0e6c I was a Bigsby neck, see above description

[@filianablanxart8305]

Or actually, Fender uses a Travis style neck . In one of those everybody running into everybody in a certain time period of Southern California Western Swing stories : Leo Fender didn't play an instrument , but he was regularly in all the Clubs both to get feedback from the players about his Steel Guitars , and because he was friends with them . Meanwhile , Merle Travis and Paul Bigsby created the Solid Body Electric Guitar to Merle's design . Leo sees Merle playing , talks with Paul and Merle about it . Borrows one to take back to his shop , and eventually asks Merle and Paul would they mind if he made a version . Paul had primarily worked with Merle to develop the guitar as a favor to his friend Merle . Paul considered all the guitar orders he then got as a bothersome distraction to what was then his primary occupation ,building racing motorcycles . So Paul and Merle gave their blessing to Leo . Leo simplified some of the intricate visual elements for mass production , and vola , The Broadcaster , soon to be renamed Telecaster , was born .

[@tonymango1121]

So smooth mellow