Travis Picking The Pattern Versus Travis Picking The Style

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Tablature for examples presented in this lesson can be found here: acousticguitarlessonsonline.net/travis-picking-guitar

[@DG5466]

Best TRAVIS PICKING demo on KZbin actually I would recommend any one interested in this style to watch these vid

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@DG5466, thnak you! Glad you liked the video :)

[@damianwalker5804]

I was absolutely blown away by your demos in the clips, especially having checked out many channels purporting to teach the Travis style, in the words of a famous actor; 'I'll be back'... I'm off to experiment with the bass line and a thumb pick that I have never used before. I am a beginner after playing about since childhood and never progressing very far. You've inspired me now at 70!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@damianwalker5804, glad you liked the video! :) The Fred Kelly thumbpicks are the best IMO so you might want to check those out. Let me know how you get on with the travis picking :)

[@TonyDuncanGlen1]

Thanks. This was really informative. Very well explained and presented.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@TonyDuncanGlen1 you are most welcome! :)

[@dream9831]

haha, i was wondering why I was seeing so many differences between tutorials, I didn't realise, I thought I was regressing between videos, thank you!!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@dream9831, you are very welcome! :)

[@thinthinwalls]

I would love to see more lessons on how to play like that

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Sure. I can do more Travis Picking tutorials. Not sure if you've seen this video on my channel but it breaks down the Travis Picking pattern for you:kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIe0coilZp2NsMU

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

@@acousticguitarlessons🎯 no first time ive seen it .

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@jesusislukeskywalker4294 cool, hope it is helpful for your playing :)

[@jasper_north]

I did not know the difference… thank you.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@jasper_north, you are welcome :)

[@Texas1836Band]

Sounds like the “Eyes of Texas “, hell yes 👍

[@tjstevens001]

Sounds like a good thing to do, i want to join.

[@stevenparham9836]

Fantastic, I feel though like I need two brains to get the bass and melody going separately!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Ha ha, yes, it does feel like you need two brains at first, but if you break it down and go slowly it will become automatic after a little while :)

[@johngibson9463]

I think most learners find that hard to accomplish. I watched a Tommy Emmanuel lesson on Travis picking a few years ago ,and he more or less said you 'just have to work your way through it'. Really helpful. By the way, IMO TE is not a good teacher, he seems to kind of assume if you just watch him, you'll be right.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@johngibson9463 there is much to learn from Tommy Emmanuel, so much! But I do get your point, he is not going to break things down like a teacher would. He could, but it's not really what he is about primarily. He also believes in the benefits of watching and listening to work things out yourself as ultimately, while it is more challenging and initially takes longer, you become a better musician, and I tend to agree :) Nothing wrong with having things broken down for you, and having music etc, but also watching, listening and using your ear will do wonders for your playing and musicianship.

[@100perdido]

One obstacle I encountered was choosing between using a two finger vs three finger method with my right hand. I eventually chose the two finger method so I chopped off my ring finger and my little finger with an axe. In rhetrospect, I would have left my little finger alone to use as an anchor but it's too late now. DO NOT try this at home.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@100perdido, LOL!

[@PapaOldie1]

I sooo want to play like that! Thanks for lesson!👍🎸🎶🎶😎

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome PapaOldie1! Glad you liked the lesson :)

[@glenn4649]

Overall good lesson. Been finger-picking for years. Might mention to the beginner that you mute the bass strings with the heel of the right hand. Also true Travis picking incorporates the thumb for the bass and one finger for the melody.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Glad you liked the video Glenn :) I'm pretty sure I talk about muting the strings for Travis Picking as this is one of the key differences between the style and simply using the pattern etc. Perhaps I did not specifically mention using the heel of your hand so thanks for pointing that out :) And yes, the thumb is used or the bass always, which I also make a point of :) Some players choose to have a "melody" finger as such however this is not a strict rule of any sort. I am pretty sure I use various fingers to pluck melody notes depending on the context and also the tone I am after etc.

[@zzcanasta]

@@acousticguitarlessons Only Travis picking puritans insist that the style involves just the thumb and one finger (usually the forefinger) because that was the way Merle Travis played, and that using more than one finger isn't 'real' Travis picking. This is, of course, nonsense of a high order - comparable with insisting that you should play Django Reinhardt's solos with only two left-hand fingers because that was the only way Django could play, or pianists blindfolding themselves before playing anything in the style of George Shearing. Great lesson, btw, with clear explanations and really useful practice exercises for people new to this dimension of playing. I teach acoustic guitar, and am delighted to have finally found someone else who distinguishes between the 'pattern' and the 'style' of Travis picking. I've subbed, and will shamelessly use your examples in future lessons.☺

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@zzcanasta thanks for the sub and great to hear you liked the lesson! Yes, I never really get people copying someone else style exactly. Yes, be influenced, yes play the styles you love and that appeal to you, but inject yourself into these things too :)

[@jhmmi]

Here's how you sound: It's not true Travis picking unless you smoke the same brand of cigarettes Merle Travis did

[@sorendefre1674]

Brilliant lesson,thank you.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Soren! Glad you like the lesson :)

[@tjstevens001]

I want to really learn this before I go home.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@tjstevens001 well, there is no time like the present :)

[@DeeveOnYT]

Well done

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@DeeveOnYT, thank you! Glad you liked the video :)

[@davidcummings9496]

Thanks, excellent class

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome David! Glad you liked the lesson :)

[@davidcummings9496]

Thanks excellent class

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome David! Glad you enjoyed the video :) Do you Travis pick at all?

[@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410]

bit like how piedmont picking, or the piedmont roll, isn't the same thing as playing the piedmont blues. It's just a part of it

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@wilhelmseleorningcniht9410, yes, sounds about right :)

[@ronald530]

I don’t believe he mentioned that Merle Travis was the originator of this pick style…blimey!!

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Probably overkill to mention Merle Travis everytime I do a video on Travis Picking :) I did mention him in this one which is more about getting up and going with Travis Picking: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iGSVkpSnmLuEe5Y He even made the thumbnail :)

[@davidmcelyea1996]

Merle was the originator. Merle even says as much in interviews.

[@t9620]

Great lesson! Thanks so much! 🙏🎸

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome! :)

[@stevenmcbride2776]

Good job

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Thank you Steven! :)

[@davidmacleod9313]

I’m so used to picking the thumb and right after the thumb again…as like a lead into the pattern. I can’t articulate well here. Lol

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Not sure I know exactly what you mean, however any habit can be broken. It just takes discipline. If you have that, it won't take long to break either :)

[@davidmacleod9313]

@@acousticguitarlessons No no… this is a good thing that I happened upon by accident. You do too. Love this lesson too! Thanks!

[@lamper2]

Did Donovan teach John Lennon Travis picking or from what I read, he taught him the clawhammer style taken from the Carter family .Was he even aware of what Travis picking was at the time 1968?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

I am not sure Lee. Travis picking predates 1968 but whether John Lennon new what to label it I am not sure :)

[@stanleymhone5713]

Hi. I really enjoyed the lesson on fingerpicking guitar playing. It's exciting. Would like to start your lessons. I missed taking your website address. Please assist me.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Glad you liked the lesson Stanley :) If you are interested in fingerpicking, you can check out my online program here: acousticguitarlessonsonline.net/fingerpicking-guitar-lessons

[@jesusislukeskywalker4294]

🎯

[@robertdavis1255]

Great lesson..many thanks for sharing your experience with great comments & examples....I only use the TP patterns & would love to develop the TP style....can you tell me another TP pattern for 4/4 time ... which notes to pick etc... cheers from Australia 😀

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Hi Robert, great that you enjoyed the lesson and found it helpful :) I would suggest the following two videos on the channel if you would like to develop a variety of patterns with Travis Picking: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qIe0coilZp2NsMU kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKa3Y3SHfLNrpac If you would like to work on the style of Travis Picking beyond just the patterns, then I would recommend this video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aGqWdGR3eMxqY8k Let me know if these re helpful Robert :)

[@robertdavis1255]

@@acousticguitarlessons thanks for sharing your experience with great comments and suggestions etc...I will followup on your lessons... cheers 😀

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@robertdavis1255 you are most welcome! Let me know how you go :)

[@JJJ54321]

I just signed up for your gold program for $89/month and am unable to access any of your pdf’s on my iPad. I cannot find any videos in the first lesson. I cannot find a “contact us” for problems so I came back here to you tube.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@janetjordan142 please email me at [e-mail] and I will get it sorted for you :)

[@richardsecules7994]

Very good lesson. Great.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

You are very welcome Richard :)

[@davidmacleod9313]

2:23 Ah! So “often” with the “t” pronounced is related to “often” with the “t” silent? Huh? 😊

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Are you picking on my Australian accent :)

[@davidmacleod9313]

@@acousticguitarlessons Nah…my sister put a bug in my ear about the pronunciation of “often”. No offence.

[@edwilliams2362]

Does it o le work for 4/4? What about 3/4?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@edwilliams2362, I am in 4/4 in this video when travis picking. As far as 3/4 is concerned, you won't travis pick in this time signature per se, but you can certainly play some kind of an alternating bass pattern in 3/4 time to suit.

[@myyootube2]

Travis Picking PER SE is always two finger picking, thumb and index. That's my opinion. Because the same way that there will always be a difference in the rhythm and feel between hybrid picking with a flatpick and two fingers vs. using a thumbpick and two fingers, that same way there will always be a difference in feel and rhythm between two and three finger picking and Merle Travis was most definitely a two finger picker. I think 3 finger picking is better described as Piedmont Picking. A term for the southern rural pickers from the coastal areas such as Blind Blake and Blind Boy Fuller although another primary exponent was obviously from Mississippi being John Hurt. There were also two finger (blues) pickers such as Mance Lipscomb and Mississippi Fred McDowell who you would NOT describe as Travis Pickers, because there ARE other elements involved such as the muting.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@myyootube2, I appreciate and respect your opinion regarding Travis Picking. But for me, Travis Picking is simply playing a steady bass line with the thumb on the beat via either one of the 4 bass patterns and syncopated melody lines on the top 3 strings. Whether you use two or three fingers is irrelevant to me (I know TP purists won't like hearing that) It's a style that has simply evolved (slightly) over time. No different to let's say the sport of tennis evolving over time. We still call it tennis as the fundamentals have not changed. Also, I don't think anyone is going to be searching "Piedmont Picking" so it would be poor SEO :)

[@bertbennett2719]

A bit too much muting on the bass. String should not sound dead just muted a bit.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@bertbennett2719, Travis Picking requires a heavily muted bass to get the "Boom Chick" sound, the most important part of the overall style. There are no half measures. Not to the taste of everybody though, so no problem there :)

[@jakslayersyth]

Is this easily transposeable to accoustic bass guitar?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Do you mean can you play the Travis Picking pattern/Travis Pick on a bass guitar? If so, you could take the bass component of the pattern and play it on the bass, as it is a bass line. Not sure about the pattern overall though

[@curtgottler9961]

What brand of guitar?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@curtgottler9961, it's a Maton Guitar, made here in Melbourne, Australia. The Model is an Em325c which was discontinued around 2010 I believe. Maton is the brand of guitar Tommy Emmanuel uses and endorses.

[@mikeharrington7027]

I need to know what strings you are plucking

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Hi Mike :) There is tablature to show you what I am doing. Although, I don't have tablature fir everything I did in this video. You would be better to use your ear to work out what I am doing. This is challenging, but there is only one way to get better at it . . .

[@tomhayes4782]

Nobody these days seems to Travis pick in the same way as Merle Travis... He only ever used his thumb and index finger with his other 3 fingers resting firmly on the scratch plate.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Yes, Merle had a very unique approach compared to today's players. For me, I see it pointless to not use all your fingers fingerpicking including Travis Picking. The technique has naturally evolved over the years as all guitar paying techniques typically do :)

[@garvdarb]

​@@acousticguitarlessons I think the poi t is,.,,travis thumb and I dex picking

[@francismaloney8775]

👏💯🇮🇪

[@michaelbobson9198]

Your lessons are great! Your voice comes over too low

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Just my voice or the volume overall? Glad you like the lessons :)

[@Lowdenjim]

There are hundreds of videos on KZbin using the generic label "Travis-Picking" which is a complete joke; Elizabeth Cotten (and a host of other Folk/Blues players) played finger style (inc alt-bass/treble picking) long before Merle Travis. Also Merle Travis only ever used one finger, so it's ludicrous to refer to finger style/fingerpicking as "Travis Picking" - how did the myth ever get started I wonder?

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@Lowdenjim, I understand Merle Travis only used one finger and his thumb, but this is not what defines what travis picking the style is. Rather it is when your thumb plays a steady bass line on the beat while your fingers, whether you use one two or three of them, play syncopated melodies on the higher strings.

[@Lowdenjim]

@@acousticguitarlessons Yes of course - but there were many guitar players playing that style long before Merle Travis. I learned to play that way in the late 60's, and certainly NOT from Merle Travis - I'd never heard of him, and I suspect very few guitar players here in the UK had heard of him either. In 1962 lots of iconic US blues and folk players came over to the UK and went down an absolute storm. It was then that members of the Rolling Stones, the Beatles, the Animals and other budding UK bands saw them and started to cover their songs. They had a massive influence on young aspiring UK guitar players who wanted to copy their techniques - I was especially drawn to Brownie McGhee & Sonny Terry for example, and a close friend of mine wanted to play songs like Rev Gary Davies & John Hurt. The term "Travis-picking" is clearly a misnomer.

[@flylippfantom8425]

I sand down my thumb pick so as it is not sticking out as far

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Have you tried Fred Kelly thumb picks? They are great and don't stick out as far as the Jim dunlop ones. Google "Fred Kelly Picks" and check them out :)

[@jhmmi]

This is a good idea, I'm going to try it

[@flylippfantom8425]

@@jhmmi also, as I gradually got thumb independence with all fingers and thumbs in sync. Playing blues with the thumb thumping usually the 6th E string and 5th A to the beat while the fingers are picking 1-2-3 strings. It took awhile but, I started keeping the beat by tapping foot or bobbing head helped tremendously with keeping the thumb thumping to the beat.

[@johnrains8409]

Opinions are like body orifices. Everyone has at least one.

[@merlynschutterle7242]

Travis used only the thumb and index finger.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Yes, I do realise that :) This video is not an analysis of Merle Travis but Travis picking in general and how it is more than a pattern etc :)

[@myyootube2]

I agree with Merlyn. "Real" Travis picking is two finger picking, thumb and index, and it changes fundamentally things about how the hand gets used. IMO three finger picking is better described as Piedmont in honor of the area of the south where it really became popular. That term was pretty popular in the '60s.

[@David-ig8of]

That is the way that Merle played it with only the forefinger and thumb but is hardly written in stone.,.most people will use other fingers on melody, including his son...Merle also picked with his thumb on the best and often used the off beat and used his thumb to strike usually two strings to incorporate the chord in there when possible...chet however spelled out a three note bass pattern that was articulated and a little cleaner...Doyle dykes does a good job of showing examples of this...he's on yt..

[@acousticguitarlessons]

@@David-ig8of yes, Chet had a much "cleaner" bass approach when Travis Picking. Doyle Dykes is a great player and with checking out for sure :) Totally agree that the exact way Merle Travis picked is not set in stone and that the style he created can be developed over they years, like anything is as new generations come along etc

[@danvitale1825]

Wrong. Travis used thumb and index only.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

Yes, he certainly did :) However this video is NOT on the style of Merle Travis but on Travis Picking overall and how the style of Travis Picking involves a lot more than a fingerpicking pattern. While Merle Travis only used thumb and index finger, it is not the only way to travis pick. It is like saying if you don't play jazz guitar like Djnago Reinhardt did (due to his injury) then you are not playing Jazz.

[@acousticguitarlessons]

If I said at any point that Merle Travis used his thumb and fingers (plural) to travis pick then I stand corrected. This was an oversight on my part, but also irrelevant to the point of the video :)

[@EdTheFed77]

Too much talking. Sorry.