A Total Beginners Guide To Travis Picking

In this video

Welcome to week N0. of the Technique weekly challenge!

This week we look at a fantastic fingerstyle technique that combines the bass and melody together.

Exercise 1 - Intro To Travis Picking

  • Open C major is a great chord to start with

  • The thumb alternates between the root & other notes to a string pattern of  5 - 4 - 6 - 4   (this is always the pattern for string 5 based chords)

  • Bass notes keep steady on each beat 

  • Then, the remaining fingers can play whatever rhythm or pattern for the melody lines

As a challenge, you should be able to talk & keep the ‘bass’ pattern going steady! Once you can do this you know the melody notes will flow. 

Exercise 2 - Add The Melody!

  • 2nd/3rd finger of picking hand can play the thinner strings 

  • Little finger string 1 - fret 3, on or off for 2 melody notes!

  • Playing 1 melody note at the start of each bar is a great place to start

  • Try going up & down the notes as you choose, to whichever tempo is comfortable

Enjoying this lesson?

Have you tried a course yet? There are many courses on this website covering all levels and styles of guitar, ukulele basics and even great guest teacher courses. Browse the courses now and let them take your playing to the next level.

A selection of courses provided on Andy Guitar