Merle's Thumb

Travis Picking is named after Merle Travis, who is widely regarded as having created this style of finger picking. In this lesson we're just looking at the thumb picking that creates the rhythm in Merle's style.

Lesson aims

• Palm mute the lower strings that will be picked with the thumb
• Keep even timing between notes
• Although we're only playing the lower notes, fret the full chords

Exercise 6 - Merle's Thumb