The Trick to TRAVIS PICKING Learn it in 10 Minutes! (Plus free chord charts!)

Learn Travis picking and you'll be able to play almost any picking tune you like. Named after the legendary guitarist Merle Travis, it's the most popular picking style in the world.This short tutorial will show you how to make light work of it. As always there's a method (a trick) to remembering what to do but trust me, it's really easy... when you know how! Click the link for my 'idiot proof' chord and finger position charts. They're free! www.bluenoteguitarschool.com/i...

[@timothycarroll5846]

ok, i took up the challenge. after about 100 hours and 2 months into it i am finally approaching ludicrous speed with getting a more acceptable number of stumbles per minute. it will takes months to eliminate them completely while changing chords and/or string sets. getting to this point was in no way easy. doing this at a walk is easy to learn and pretty easy to do once your right hand gets the basic idea. getting competently past a walk takes serious work, dedication, perseverance, and...pain. your picking hand will fight back, you have to force it, even when it wants or demands you stop KEEP GOING! as fast as you can, even if you are to the point that your fingers refuse to move. everyday. If you don't, you will be stuck in walk land forever. its work. i started with 5 minute forced marathons and progressed to 10, 12, 15 min at a time. now much more. I didn't really worry about doing the picking pattern perfectly while forcing, it was more about getting the picking hand to do the motion and not stopping. thanks, rob, for showing that that i could actually do this. signed: a 40 year power chord poser.............

[@JohnMcintosh-dm1gn]

Good advice, I'm two months in now but haven't hit it as hard as you have. Saying that I think I may take your advice as it seems to be a better option than the path I'm on.

[@timothycarroll5846]

@@JohnMcintosh-dm1gn the up side is that once you get it, you got it. i'm now at the point that i just brush up here and there now. If I can do it, you can.....

[@maxb8695]

Ain’t no way you randomly explained the exact part of big love I didn’t get! Thank you so much !

[@johnrains8409]

Years ago, I had the pleasure of socializing with a young man who had been a professional Las Vegas pit band guitarist. This was in Memphis, TN. They had a blue grass "opry" out in a neighboring small town, Lucy. It was simply called the Lucy Opry, and almost everyone knew what you meant. After he had been in Memphis a few weeks, he found his way out to the Opry, and just a while later, he played in the "opry" talent show and won. When asked how long he had been playing "grass" he replied, "about 2 weeks. Point is, if you are proficient at one form of music, it does not take much time to learn another. As one poster here referred to it, "pattern" picking is the basis of all finger picking styles. That's what I did for years because, as the poster implied, I used it as accompanist for my singing. However, once I decided to try adding melody notes along with the pattern, it was not that hard. I did learn the intro lick to Fogelberg's "Leader of the Band" in just a few minutes. One more thing, you don't see many "pickers" doing any complicated riffs while singing. When they start sing, they resort to the patterns.

[@sharpsbattle]

This was brilliant! Thanks for keeping it simple, but not rambling on. Now I have something to practice!

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

Thank you. My great grandfather was Earl Travis, first cousins with Merle Travis. Merle got his first guitar from my grandfather. I grew up hearing the stories, and now I am trying to learn Travis picking and this was very helpful.

[@jysmtl]

I’m from the next town over from Drakesboro and learned Travis picking there back in the 60s from a guy who had learned from Merle. What the fellow is teaching in this video is folk style finger picking, not Travis picking.

[@TheCommonSenseProfessor]

Merle used two fingers, but by definition this is Travis Picking. The technical term is alternating thumb style, which if you want to be a purist, that is probably a better name for this guys finger picking style, but everyone knows this as Travis Picking. I am learning the pure 2 finger style, I would guess like you play. I am curious who you learned from. My family is from Browder. @@jysmtl

[@jysmtl]

@@TheCommonSenseProfessor Good for you for deciding to keep the tradition going. His name was McPherson. I could have the spelling wrong. It was a long time ago. Around ‘66-‘68 or so. He was a fantastic player. I recall he was from Drakesboro, but I might have that slightly wrong, too. I heard he died in a car crash driving home from a gig quite a long time ago now. He could play anything, including Travis picking. He taught us differences between the way Merle and Chet played. Chet had heard Merle on the radio and that’s how he picked it and added to it over the years. I’ve been clicking around KZbin and see that a lot of people are saying that any alternating thumb on bass strings is Travis picking. I think that’s very wrong. There’s a world of difference between folk style finger picking - even if much of it entails alternating thumb on different bass strings - and Travis picking. Paul Simon is a great great player. Peter, Paul & Mary style is great, but it ain’t Travis style. You’ve got to get that thump thump thump going, with palm muting and locked-in solid on the rhythm with whatever’s the lowest note on the 6th or 5th string, alternating down to usually the 4th string. Often on that second hit with the thumb pick you hit two strings at once, the 4th and 5th together (depending on the chord and all). Then melody on top, of course. For melody, even though Merle only used one finger, it’s okay if you use two. Just using index finger only is not what gives the distinctive Travis picking sound. I’m just a hacker, not a true expert, but I’ve been around Travis picking since that time and played (my poor version of) Cannonball Rag probably about as much as anybody. I’d suggest listening first of all to the playing and teaching of (Merle’s son) Thom Bresh (here’s a good one kzbin.info/www/bejne/hmfPZHqBg5t0e6csi=WPU4hb5fLOzSWQ8U ). Or any of the great players who have kept Merle’s and Chet’s styles alive, honestly sometimes taking them even further. Tommy Emanuel, Doyle Dykes, plenty of others. They get the style, the sound, the feel of Travis picking. That’s the way I see it and hear it. Best of luck with your learning!

[@paulhughes3827]

Best travis picking lesson I have seen, thank you.

[@howabouthetruth2157]

Really good, fundamental lesson.........that is absolutely essential. You are a great teacher. And this is coming from ( me ) a 62 yr old, lifelong guitarist. I gigged professionally ( guitar/singing/blues harp ) for many years & eventually grew tired of the club/lounge scene & "retired" back in 2003. But the music lives on with me, as I'm back into playing again.

[@TheHarpass]

Priceless, always thought I could never finger pick but your breakdown has changed that thought. I'll be 64 next week and learning something new. Thanks.

[@MarkFern-fc1eu]

Yeah. I agree with some of the other comments here. This isn’t what players referred to as “Travis picking” fifty or sixty years ago when guitar players were buying Merle Travis albums. But terminology changes over time and evolves to mean something new. I think folks now have just melded finger picking with Travis picking in their minds as synonymous. Whatever. Good tips here for finger picking patterns.

[@ihatemyjobman]

Would you consider possibly doing "Don't Think Twice It's Alright" by Dylan?

[@michaelc3977]

Would love to learn the great R. L . Burnside's strumming technique, as used on Jumper On The Line

[@litotesone]

Happened upon your channel and I had to stop to compliment you for your no nonsense, direct and intelligent manner of instruction. Thank you for as much and for sharing your excellent talent for playing, too!

[@lou196t]

I love the way you talk - right down to earth and you’re so funny. Thanks for this lesson and your humour.❤😂🤘

[@awjfagan]

Really helpful and easy to understand video, the first of yours I've seen, will be checking out more - thanks a lot. ATB

[@primevalprimeval]

Thank you, you made me understand this so much quicker than anyone else.

[@jimj.5099]

Amazing Rob. Thank you.

[@fennahrob6934]

Forgot to mention; The same rules apply to barre chords too. 👍🏻😎

[@GeriWardMusic]

I was just about to ask you that question. 😊

[@tmurphy1000]

But much more difficult.

[@2Langdon]

Excellent, thanks!

[@jplater9191]

Thanks this helps me a lot!

[@hiddensoundcollective]

awesome lil tune to practice, thank you!!

[@lizrileychristiano]

Super helpful! Thank you!

[@ConwayBob]

Great! This works!

[@michaelheinz3954]

Simply brilliant!

[@primaveranz]

Excellent Tute thanks!

[@timegan470]

This is terrific thank you Rob!

[@886014]

Brilliant! Thanks very much

[@user-mc1ul9mo9f]

This is so useful. Thank you so much

[@ahodamahingan1698]

This was really helpful. Thank you for sharing

[@philipdutton785]

Great stuff!

[@Kearflex1]

Good stuff... Thanks for sharing

[@chrismartenable]

This is a great help, can't wait to try it out

[@2slwilliams]

excellent lesson!

[@pww6581]

Love travis picking but looking to extend it further so subscribed. More of these please.

[@Patrick_H.]

Learn more patterns. When you get proficient at many of them, it becomes easier to interchange parts of them to make your playing sound exactly like what you want for it's purpose. You'll know you're starting to 'get it' when you realize you _sometimes_ need to use different fingers for the bottom 3 strings to get exactly what you want. And remember Practice does NOT make Perfect. Perfect Practice makes Perfect performance. If you're struggling - SLOW it down, and get to speed gradually.

[@pww6581]

Cheers Patrick. Appreciate the advice.

[@user-jk5hr7dm4b]

Very helpful. Thank you sir!

[@uskuleleukegroup3595]

Absolutely fabulous

[@moshealex]

Amassing work, Rob. Very easy and helpful.👍

[@LaudCranium]

thanks la. very entertaining and instructive.

[@johnnymcnoodle27]

Love your style Rob , demystifying the guitar and making it simple , cheers .

[@stephenlong7122]

Wonderful lesson, thank you!

[@alankenworthy9722]

Wow, really helpful!

[@paulmorrissey7569]

great Rob thanks

[@cotiga-davidpompiliu-viore9725]

This is just great! I've just found your channel. And I love Travis picking. End your lesson helped me. A lot! Thank you so much!

[@GuitarHeroWhatley]

Brilliant lesson that, thanks 👍🏻

[@Stevesoffthecouch]

Excellent thanks

[@taffboyslim]

Lovely lesson. I will try this

[@WilliamJDager]

Outstanding, short, clear and concise tutorial. Much appreciated!

[@MrJasdog107]

Great lesson going to check out your channel.

[@michaelbattaglia2512]

Excellent lesson ! Simple and concise. Thank you.

[@tjstevens001]

That is awesome! I might be able to play it right now!

[@SweetPicklenation]

Nice work! Thank you

[@mojowilder]

great tutorial!

[@bassoneman]

Thanks for taking your time and putting this video together..

[@doodeen]

Thanks Rob.Excellent lesson.Cheers Jim

[@user-ts6pj7iy6w]

So cool worth waking up for thankyou

[@patgaff2536]

Wonderful lesson once again.

[@larrycannon6615]

Grate lesson great teach in style

[@kingyugee]

Thank you for this video! It's going great for me so far 👍

[@dwayne5698]

Great lesson!! Love finger picking songs.

[@craigtordoff3658]

Great stuff mate keep it coming 👍

[@keithskelton5596]

Thanks Great tutorial Thanks👏🏾🙏

[@jond.2868]

a great lesson

[@lynnasche5147]

Excellent Travis picking lesson ! Thank you !

[@nigelboothman6653]

Just stumbled across this - never seen your channel before. Been playing 30+ years but learned something straight away. Like everyone says, you're an excellent teacher and I'm now going to burn hours and hours going through your old videos. Subscribed!

[@chrisgregory6050]

Now at last it’s making sense, thank you thank you and more please.

[@Leenie333]

Thanks for this excellent, concise tutorial that suits my attention span 😂 Well done! Happy to be a new subscriber and looking forward to catching up on more of your videos! 💜👍

[@pip461]

what a teacher , love it ,

[@indoors-outdoorshobbies]

Thank you for the help and inspiration to give it a go! Cheers, Kevin

[@Jeronimo365]

Definitely more picking styles please, Travis or otherwise. ‘Big love’ would be awesome. 👍

[@GuitarAdam]

Big Love - great song

[@hearpalhere]

Really great approach, no frills and easy to follow instructions. Thank you!

[@standtallvets5386]

Good Job and Great Video!!

[@brianosullivan5441]

Thanks man !

[@tomplaner1488]

Thank you! You have given me just what I needed to try fingerstyle.

[@MikeHensley-sc3ns]

Earned a sub!! Good job and simply sweet and to the point. I dig it.👍🏼

[@kaidemen156]

This really simplified Travis picking for me, thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[@davidgallois5634]

thank you for your video Sir. You are an excellent educator!

[@DavidDMcLaughlin]

Really good teacher. So straight forward

[@crashier]

F yeah man, this is super helpful, & thank you for the closing tip of practicing each hand independently!

[@kingshearer2]

Brilliant video thanks, Macca should watch this!

[@peterjohnson5579]

Thanks very helpful and informative

[@jeffcole4783]

Wow, thanks this lesson.

[@ismithies]

No nonsense, just great help and advice thanks Rob

[@peterlewis2783]

Thanks Rob, that's a great pattern. 🤓

[@michaelvassallo4841]

What a hoot! Love your style - based on this with some work, I still have a chance to Travis pick. Yay.

[@kralljazz]

Thank You!

[@mvdeehan]

Now and again KZbin throws you a Golden Charm of a video out of nowhere. This is one of them! Thanks Fennah Rob! P.S .Dave Lee Travis was the only Travis I knew.

[@rboyer1020]

You demonstrate and explain it so well you sir are a very good teacher!

[@timpage4212]

Very good Rob gonna have ago at this.

[@jdfolbre]

Good stuff

[@marktaylor2502]

very useful thank you

[@allancerf9038]

Great. The outer-inner is immensely helpful. Thanks Fennah Bob.

[@jonathanbazely8104]

I have a few styles of my own using this basic positioning.. very helpful indeed, thank you 🙏

[@cinders1413]

Great thanks 😊

[@lyndarosborough869]

Thank you for this … great intro into this style … just shared this with my brother… and subscribed too ! … thanks again ! 🎶

[@JonJll]

Bravo!

[@AWM8]

Thank you very much my friend for the tip. Greetings!

[@markarman]

Thank You.

[@mradisic11]

Thanks Rob. God blessed you. Lucky you are. 🤗

[@joseuisley8090]

Thank you, Travis picking and folk picking is a very hard pattern picking to understand and learning. Great video

[@PaulJohnson-yw9gi]

Top Man; I've seen a lot of these...this is/you are the best. Good job.

[@robertbaker1986]

Ah, amazing lesson, you make it so easy to learn. Like being in the same room. Thanks so much for your videos.