Fingerpicking Tweak That Changed Everything

In this video, I go over Travis picking. Travis picking is a fingerpicking technique that will add unique flavor to your playing repertoire. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced guitarist, this lesson is designed to help you master the intricacies of this iconic style. Don't miss out on this opportunity to enhance your guitar skills.
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TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Introduction
00:11 Merle Travis
00:24 Basics
01:05 How to play it!
02:43 Where to Rest Your Hand
03:15 Let's Make This Fancy!

[@MrGmooney]

Great stuff there Eric, intro to Travis Picking

[@fenderman1944]

What a great basic entry into fingerpiking

[@olderendirt]

Thanks for simplifying it. Some teachers go a little too fast for older eyes and hands. Your guitar is beautiful, too.

[@yourguitarsage]

Thank you kindly!

[@MrBodywisdom]

Nice Zager guitar…sounds good!

[@BHWresearchchannel-zr7gw]

Thanks for a great video. I'll start practicing this the next time I pick up my guitar.

[@Dabearfan85]

always a pleasure.

[@bearco11]

Thank you Erich , I always enjoy your lessons .

[@yourguitarsage]

My pleasure! Thanks, my friend.

[@rubentoro3305]

Awesome

[@michaelfox2989]

Good stuff,thanks..

[@yourguitarsage]

Glad you enjoyed it🙏

[@suburbohemian]

Been waiting for this a while, and ah nuts wouldn't you know it...this was the first way I was taught how to pick when I was 8! Lol! LOve the hammering tho....that I was not taught so now I will have to try these old fingers on that!

[@michaeljoconnell]

Thanks, Eric! I’ve been fingerpicking for decades and never heard about Travis picking. I guess the genres I was playing didn’t use it. Great simple lesson!

[@yourguitarsage]

you are welcome, Michael. Yes it’s really useful, especially in country western style.

[@patrickflannery3415]

Very nice!

[@yourguitarsage]

Thanks!

[@user-rq3mo6db7d]

Good lesson! by the way I've had four Zagers, Which model is that? Looks and sounds great!

[@miketransporter5638]

This is great timing as I'm learning romeo and juliet by dire straits but I'm struggling, thanks

[@yourguitarsage]

You got this!

[@tjstevens001]

Hey you have a Zager 900! I have the CEOM. Hope you enjoy it!!

[@yourguitarsage]

Love it! 🙌

[@jasper_north]

Shouldnt that thumb be sticking out much more in order not to collide with the finger? (Knopfler?)

[@yourguitarsage]

as long as they don’t collide, it doesn’t matter how far apart they are. In fact, economy of movement says it should be the least amount of movement needed.

[@jasper_north]

Travis_style is what this is? TravisPicking is with a thumb pick and palm muting I think?

[@yourguitarsage]

No sir. Travis picking, named after the guitarist Merle Travis, is a style of fingerpicking for the guitar. It involves using the thumb to play a steady alternating bass pattern on the lower strings, while the fingers pick out a melody or a chordal accompaniment on the higher strings. This technique creates a full and rhythmic sound that can simulate multiple instruments being played at once.
Here's a basic breakdown of the technique:
1. The thumb alternates between bass notes, typically played on the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings.
2. The index and middle fingers pick the melody or harmony notes on the higher strings.
3. The picking pattern is often syncopated, meaning the rhythm is varied and not strictly on the beat.
4. Travis picking is adaptable to different chords and melodies, making it versatile for various songs.
It's a fundamental style in many genres, especially in folk, country, and blues music, and is known for its rhythmic drive and melodic versatility.

[@Folkstone1957]

All that extra hand movement is not at all good technique.

[@yourguitarsage]

😂 by all means, show us how to do it. Plenty of talkers on the Internet.

[@Folkstone1957]

@@yourguitarsage
See at ~9:00

[@yourguitarsage]

That was my video. Great job.

[@Folkstone1957]

@@yourguitarsage
Sorry, but I’m not sure what you meant.
Did you mean “the same as my video” ?
Thank you for the compliment !

[@christmasbeachfuzz]

⁠@@Folkstone1957he’s saying to make your own video to show how to do it your way. I’m inclined to believe the guitar sage because he has this video. If you know a better way please show me so I can become the best guitarist I can, thanks

[@davidtharp5533]

Not EVEN close to “Travis Picking”!

[@yourguitarsage]

I love a good ignoramus comment. Always helps with the algorithm. and they always come from talkers instead of doers.
Here’s the strict definition of Travis picking and exactly what I’m doing here. I have much more high-level stuff in my courses.
Travis picking, named after American country singer and guitarist Merle Travis, is a guitar playing technique. It's characterized by a steady, alternating bass pattern played by the thumb, while the index and other fingers play the melody on the higher strings, often in a syncopated rhythm. This creates a full and rhythmic sound that can be used across various styles of music. The thumb typically plays the bass notes on the sixth, fifth, and fourth strings, and this pattern is maintained throughout a song, adapting to the chord changes⁴⁵. It's a fundamental technique in fingerstyle guitar and is great for solo acoustic performances because it provides both the rhythm and melody simultaneously.