Home › Forums › Guitar Techniques and General Discussions › Great review of 4 basic Travis style picking patterns
- This topic has 44 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 2 months, 1 week ago by
JoeD1.
-
CreatorTopic
-
September 9, 2023 at 7:16 am #351456
I’m mostly an electric player with a pick. I know many of you love finger style acoustic. I thought this was a wonderful video to encourage my acoustic side by breaking down the commonest Travis style options. Hope you find it useful.
John -
CreatorTopic
-
AuthorReplies
-
-
September 9, 2023 at 9:46 am #351458
Thank you for this John. Have been working on some alternate picking stuff lately and noticed my pic hand fingers want to jump in there once in awhile to help my struggling left! Kinda cool when it happens. Anyway this video might , will, help with gaining more control of the pick hand fingers.
Thanks, Ron -
September 9, 2023 at 10:17 am #351459
Yes, Jared’s videos are often very good.
This is a good start. Just one remark: all the “patterns” presented in the video completely ignore the RH ring finger, which is an extremely important finger once you start playing actual melodies in this style. If you are just starting, no problem, but don’t stop there!Happy picking!
-
September 9, 2023 at 10:55 am #351460
Good video for someone first launching into fingerstyle and concentrates on the thumb striking just the 6th and 4th strings, which is a start. These exercises are all about freeing the thumb from the fingers of the picking hand and developing a rock solid syncopation. Sped here is not essential.
Joi, On rare occasions will I use the ring finger for my preferred styles.Good find John,
Richard -
September 9, 2023 at 11:16 am #351461
If I’m hybrid picking would the RH ring finger come into play and work in those patterns or should I maybe look for a different technique. Thanks for the response Jean-Michel G.
-
September 9, 2023 at 11:20 am #351462
If you use the hybrid method of fingerstyle MrO then certainly the middle and ring fingers are essential but if you want to follow those particular picking patterns then I would suggest the easiest way forward would be to drop the pick.
Richard
-
September 9, 2023 at 11:42 am #351463
I fully agree with Richard: when hybrid picking you need the thumb and index to hold the pick, so you definitely need the middle and ring finger.
The standard classical guitar RH picking technique involves PIMA (thumb, index, middle and ring finger); this transposes very well to non-classical finger style, including the so-called “Travis picking”.
That being said, Merle Travis himself did not use the ring finger. In fact, he used to use his index finger only!Guitar right hand technique is often a matter of preferences. Many great guitarists just don’t (or rarely) use the ring finger. That’s certainly doable, but I personally think that PIMA makes life a lot easier than just PIM, and I tend to recommend learning PIMA as a beginner. You will always have the option to fall back to PIM later if that’s more comfortable for you.
It’s more work, but it pays itself back.
But as I said, it’s OK to discover fingerstyle with PIM like in the video posted by John. -
September 9, 2023 at 11:54 am #351465
I will try again to “drop the pick”. Thanks Richard.
-
September 9, 2023 at 1:18 pm #351467
Maybe it’s the little bit of classical training I had but when I go to the highest 4 stings, eg. playing an open D chord, I tend to use my middle and ring fingers in these patterns.
John -
September 9, 2023 at 4:41 pm #351471
I’m just beginning to learn fingerstyle and recently posted my attempt on Chet Atkins Fingerstyle Lesson: Very Basic – LEG031 which is a version of Travis picking using thumb, index, middle, and ring fingers. I’m going to definitely try these…thanks Charjo!
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
September 9, 2023 at 8:59 pm #351474
I found this video “interesting” – I say it that was because in my 30+ years of Travis Style playing, I’ve never gotten locked into patterns like this.
I’m sure that most of us remember the days that we didn’t have streaming video & audio, we didn’t have CD’s – no we used those hateful little devices called cassette tapes where we’d have to rewind and hope that we landed in the correct spot….
In the early 90s, I worked thru 2 books by Mark Hanson that used cassettes; Mark is an amazing player and equally amazing instructor on Travis Style and he broke it down in a manner that was simple enough that even I could grasp it.
I seem to remember that he used patterns in the first book, only to get your fingers moving & to develop the steady bass, whether its alternating or monotonic – and he used them for a short time as the instructor did in this video, to accompany. Mark didn’t stress their use because it becomes evident when you get into playing arrangements, patterns are rarely found/used – at least that’s been my experience.If anyone wants to get deeper into fingerstyle, I highly recommend Mark’s books – The Art of Contemporary Travis Picking and The Art of Solo Fingerpicking
-
September 10, 2023 at 2:51 am #351476
True, patterns aren’t often used as such in solo pieces; that would be very boring! But you will find them more often when accompanying a singer or other solo instrument.
But in reality I think you have to look at them as exercises to help get the necessary finger independence (not just the thumb only); from that perspective they are very useful. Most classical guitarists work a lot on the “24 arpeggio formulas” for that very reason.
And many “classical” composers have written entire etudes to develop RH arpeggiation fluidity (think Villa-Lobos for example).
-
-
September 10, 2023 at 3:02 am #351479
I totally agree Keith, whilst learning these fingerstyle patterns is useful from a practice point of view, they’re not generally used in solo performances other than accompaniment to a vocalist etc.
One of the reasons would-be fingerstyle players, who want to play blues and ragtime solos don’t progress is, the exercises they are faced with are often just plain boring. Students can be forgiven for wondering where all this hard work is going? what exactly is my end goal here?It makes sense to learn and develop a variety of fingerstyle patterns if the intention is to accompany yourself or others but if it’s soloing that’s your bash, then start off by learning the more simpler monotonic or alternating thumb pieces by the Country Blues Players like Mississippi John Hurt, Robert Johnson and Blind Boy Fuller etc. At least after all your hard work you have a passionate and spirited blues piece added to your playlist.
Richard
-
September 10, 2023 at 6:59 am #351482
Keith had suggested Mark Hanson’s book to me awhile ago and I found it very helpful to begin my journey with fingerstyle playing. I had no idea where to begin and the book carefully lays out a course beginning with the inside-out pattern and then the outside-in pattern. I haven’t gotten much further than that yet but I looked ahead and see he begins to break free of patterns. It’s a very good book…thanks Keith!
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
September 10, 2023 at 8:47 pm #351493
A way to WOW!! your friends with minimal effort is to learn Dust In The Wind by Kansas
It uses some very basic picking patterns throughout and is relatively easy to learn.
As the story goes, Kerry Livgren was practicing Travis style patterns and his wife commented that he should write lyrics to what he was playing. He explained that he was only playing some very basic fingerstyle exercises but she continued – Maybe so but what you’re playing is nice
And as the saying goes – the rest is history
-
September 10, 2023 at 11:38 pm #351498
Yes, I remember that I read about the background of that song to be a Travis picking exercise😊. Actually, thanks to Dust in the wind I can Travis pick! It’s somehow highly addictive once you get the pattern under your fingers.
More Blues!
-
-
September 11, 2023 at 1:38 am #351499
This thread is now beginning to highlight a few of the better Travis Picking tutorials available online today. I’ve always thought this one by Paul Davids ranks among one of the best. It’s clear, concise and slowly builds up to a catchy piece through the chord sequence.
I would recommend to new students to practice the earlier sections separately to ensure each stage is embedded into your muscle-memory before moving on to the next part of the progression.
Good luck, it’s great fun to play.Richard
-
September 11, 2023 at 6:59 am #351502
Thanks, Richard. I was good until the percussive slapping started!
You’ve motivated me. I actually purchased Paul David’s Acoustic Adventure when it debuted but never got around to it. One question for you. I see that the bass is played with the fleshy side of the thunb. Do you incorporate any finger nail into the higher strings or strictly the flesh of the finger tips?
John-
September 11, 2023 at 7:23 am #351504
I agree John, I wasn’t keen on the slap part either.
Regards fingers Vs fingernails etc., I always hit all strings with the topmost part of the flesh on the fingers (no nail contact) and again I use the fleshy side of the thumb. So my fingernails are always kept reasonably short.
Each to his/her own though, you do get a sharper note using nails. I will use a thumbpick on certain numbers but it’s not usual for me.
Btw, this is a good thread.Richard
-
September 11, 2023 at 9:29 am #351508
Nails or no nails… That’s another touchy subject 😉 As Richard said, this is a matter of preference.
Me personally, coming from classical guitar, I mostly use nails, including on the thumb. I prefer the crisper and clearer sound that the nails produce – particularly on nylon strings. But that means I have to grow them and take care of them… long but not too long!
The classical RH position makes it almost impossible to palm mute the bass strings, so I also often use a thumb pick when I want that muted sound.
-
September 11, 2023 at 9:53 am #351509
I prefer nails, also, and prefer them for hybrid picking on the electric. Problem is not only looking after them but mine are ridiculously thin and fragile.
John -
September 11, 2023 at 10:59 am #351512
Castor oil three times a week (or daily for intensive care) works miracles to make nails stronger. Olive oil is also effective.
You may also want to look at the Savarez nail kit. -
September 11, 2023 at 11:35 am #351513
Thanks, J-M, I’ll try the oil. The Savarez kit looks pretty heavy duty but I’ll keep it in mind.
John
-
-
-
September 11, 2023 at 2:52 am #351500
The late Marcel Dadi is the guy who introduced the Chet Atkins picking style in France and made me quit classical guitar!
In the video below he teaches Merle Travis’ “Fuller Blues” (in English!). I think this is one of the best videos about the genuine Merle Travis style. In particular, he stresses Travis’ peculiar way of playing chords as well as the fat thumb attack that is essential to his sound. I often say that Travis picking is alternate bass picking on steroids.
This video is clearly not for beginners! -
September 11, 2023 at 3:01 am #351501
I can appreciate that’s not for beginners, I bought a copy many years ago and it’s pretty advanced stuff.
Shame we lost him some years back.Richard
-
September 11, 2023 at 11:55 am #351514
Castor oil three times a week (or daily for intensive care) works miracles to make nails stronger. Olive oil is also effective.
You may also want to look at the Savarez nail kit.Castor oil….ugh!!! That’s the hair of the dog!!! That used to be a home remedy for many things but I wasn’t aware that it would strengthen nails.
John earlier you mentioned the bass strings are played with the fleshy part of the thumb – I develop a callous on the edge of my thumb right where the rounded part of the nail meets the straight part… If that makes sense. It gets so thick at times that I have to trim it with clippers
I use nails on steel strings but I have to reinforce because my nails are also fragile. I’ve tried biotin and other supplements but nothing helped so I have been using James Taylor’s method along with adding a resin made by RC Strings. When combined with super glue, its nearly as strong as finger picks. I can even get a decent volume on my resonator which isn’t easy to accomplish, definitely not happening with bare fingers
I only cover about a third of the nail, never anything near the nail bed and I always clean with alcohol to dispel any moisture so as to avoid fungus under the nailhttps://www.stringsbymail.com/rc-strings-nr45-resin-powder-17213.html
-
September 11, 2023 at 12:07 pm #351515
Just to be sure: the castor oil isn’t meant to be swallowed, just used as a polish!
Otherwise, you’ll get a very different effect LOL…
-
-
September 11, 2023 at 12:16 pm #351518
Just to be sure: the castor oil isn’t meant to be swallowed, just used as a polish!
Otherwise, you’ll get a very different effect LOL…Thank you for that verification!! I knew it was best to not ingest it because I knew many in my younger days whose parents felt that castor oil was a great remedy and let’s just say that my friends were moving quickly during their days 😂
My son used to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar daily – using a spoon and not a capsule – chasing it with a glass of water…. Cured his acid reflux and heartburn but again – that’s the hair of the dog too!!-
September 11, 2023 at 12:27 pm #351520
This takes me back to the days when my mother would put a mustard plaster on my chest for a chest cold. Either that or the Vicks vaporub!
John
-
-
September 11, 2023 at 12:44 pm #351521
I remember only too well as a child every Sunday evening a teaspoonful of Castor Oil was given followed quickly by spoonful of sweet tasting malt.
Of course these were the days well before vitamins and over-the-counter medicinal remedies were available.Richard
-
September 11, 2023 at 2:14 pm #351525
Is it just me, or this thread is entering a very bad spin? 🙂
-
September 11, 2023 at 2:39 pm #351527
Yes Jean-Michel you’re correct. Back to the original thread, this next Travis style video by the famous Tommy Emmanuel also ranks as some of the best for beginners.
Richard
-
October 12, 2023 at 6:58 pm #353363
As many of you may know I am trying to learn fingerstyle including classical. My fingers and thumb were getting blisters, not calluses. So, I just wanted to say that due to Keith and Richard and all the rest of you with all the comments about using nails or flesh, I decided to get a nail job. My nails are very thin and brittle and crack and chip very easily. They don’t grow straight and tend to curl down.
I went to the nail salon with my wife today and they used some kind of liquid – glue or something else – with some fiberglass powder. They said they have done this for several of their guitar playing clients. Now all I have to do is to learn how to play fingerstyle! 😜
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme EdgeAttachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.-
June 25, 2024 at 11:56 am #372153
It was great having nails for the first time in my life that I could practice fingerstyle without getting blisters and also getting a decent attack on the string. But I found that after growing out my nails they were thinner and more brittle than before so I won’t do that again.
I’m on the hunt for some finger picks and have tried the Epic Berry picks shown below.
The thumb pick is great but the finger picks are impossible for me to use. They have too much curve and are very rigid and I can’t feel the string and frequently play the wrong string. I’ve tried wearing them upside down and at all different angles but they are just too cumbersome for me. And the ring finger pick keeps falling off.
I’ve ordered some different styles from Amazon and can’t wait to try them out. I’ve ordered some Alaska, Fred Kelly, and 2 different styles of metal picks.
Does anybody have any advice on finger picks? I don’t think I’ve seen any members using them but thought maybe someone uses them on a banjo and might have some helpful suggestions.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme EdgeAttachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.
-
-
June 25, 2024 at 2:09 pm #372161
Hi Joe, as I’ve mentioned above in this thread, when playing fingerstyle blues and ragtime pieces, I only strike the strings with the flesh part of my digits.
I use either Fred Kelly or Dunlop thumb picks on certain pieces and generally have to shape them initially to suit my picking profile. Getting used to thumb and finger picks takes a while and patience is needed while backing off the normal attack on the strings as they’re much louder.
I played bluegrass banjo for a number of years and a thumbpick and fingerpicks are essential. I always used a plastic Dunlop thumbpick and metal Dunlop fingerpicks at .0225 gauge. All of these picks need initial shaping to suit your fingers.
I did try the new Black Mountain hybrid pick recently for guitar, to say it was a useless purchase is putting it mildly but I had to give it a go.Best of luck with your pursuits.
Richard
-
June 25, 2024 at 4:28 pm #372169
Hi Richard, I’ve tried using the fleshy part of my finger but I don’t get much volume and it’s difficult for me to get my finger between the strings and strike the one string I want to ring. Plus I easily get blisters which slows down my practice.
I use either Fred Kelly or Dunlop thumb picks on certain pieces and generally have to shape them initially to suit my picking profile.
When you say that you always shape the finger picks do you mean by bending them or filing them or both? I could file the plastic picks I currently have but I don’t think I can bend them which is what I really think would help. They are curved way too much and wind up getting my finger stuck under the string.
I was watching some videos about different picks and I noticed many people wear them so the pick part is under the flesh of their finger while I’ve been wearing them with the pick part over the fingernail. I’m not sure if there is a right or wrong way…I guess it must be whichever works.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
June 26, 2024 at 3:36 am #372187
Hi Joe,
I always have to shape the plastic thumbpicks to suit, first of all I buy the closest that fits my thumb reasonably tight. I will then file the end to suit my preference, making sure of a smooth finish. I don’t alter plastic thumbpicks these days but you can re-shape them by immersing them in ‘hot water’ for a few seconds, which softens the plastic, then quickly re-shape the pick while it’s pliable and then leave to cool.
I only ever used metal fingerpicks playing banjo and at .0225 gauge, they’re bendable anyway.Richard
-
June 26, 2024 at 6:32 am #372191
Thank you Richard. Especially about the tip using hot water to shape the plastic picks. I received all the different picks I mentioned previously and am trying them out now. My first impressions are the Alaska and butterfly picks require a certain length of nail to remain fixed in place. My nails frequently break and I don’t have enough nail to use them. The Fred Kelly picks are pretty good but they’ll take some time to get used to because they’re so think they feel a little awkward separating my fingers. The metal ones at first seem best because they’re easy to shape and fit each finger but even they are taking some getting used to.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge -
June 29, 2024 at 6:38 pm #372932
I tried playing with my own nails today and sure enough one of them chipped. If I can’t get accustomed to using finger picks I think it will be impossible for me to learn finger style playing.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme EdgeAttachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files. -
June 29, 2024 at 8:22 pm #372966
I tried playing with my own nails today and sure enough one of them chipped. If I can’t get accustomed to using finger picks I think it will be impossible for me to learn finger style playing
Joe
Go back and look at my response above where I used James Taylor’s method
Super Glue with the fiberglass or silk mesh sets up really hard and I can get volume from the strings almost as good as finger picks
When I add the resin powder with Super Glue on top of the mesh, it gives such an attack on the strings that I can’t hardly hybrid pick on electric because it’s so loud-
June 30, 2024 at 6:22 am #373066
Go back and look at my response above where I used James Taylor’s method
Thanks Keith. I was afraid my nails would get super thin like they did when I had them done at the nail salon. I assume because you’re not covering the entire nail that doesn’t happen?
It says in the video to create 6 layers…layers of what? Glue? Fiberglass mesh?
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge
-
-
June 30, 2024 at 7:49 am #373094
Go back and look at my response above where I used James Taylor’s method
Thanks Keith. I was afraid my nails would get super thin like they did when I had them done at the nail salon. I assume because you’re not covering the entire nail that doesn’t happen?
It says in the video to create 6 layers…layers of what? Glue? Fiberglass mesh?
Joe
I only cover half or less, never into the light colored portion on the nail at the base. I never had an issue with my nails getting thin but you can monitor that
I do a layer of mesh with Super Glue; while the glue is wet, I’ll press it into the resin powder, add more glue to powder. I repeat this until I have maybe 2 or 3 layers of resinOne thing that is important is to have nail glue that has a brush for the resin part. I use ultra control Super Glue for the initial layer with the mesh, that seems to adhere to the nail better
This type of nail setup typically stays on about 2 weeks but my playing style is a bit aggressive with the way that I hit the strings with the back of nails pretty hard to strumHope this helps
Keith
aka GnLguy-
June 30, 2024 at 1:22 pm #373235
I have received one last set of finger picks but so far, I don’t like any of them. They are either uncomfortable, or they work themselves loose, or they cut off the circulation in my fingertips, or they feel unnatural and impossible to feel the string so I can’t tell which string I’m playing. Arrrrrgh!
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme EdgeAttachments:
You must be logged in to view attached files.
-
-
July 1, 2024 at 3:30 am #373377
All these finger picks are, in my opinion, way too long; my nails barely stick out of my fingertips. It’s arguably harder to play with shorter nails, but they don’t break as easily, and the tone is better (longer nails bend and loose energy so the sound is softer).
Your overall health condition and diet have an impact on the strength of your nails. If you need to reinforce them, in addition to caster oil I already mentioned higher up in this thread, I can also recommend the nail care products from Ecrinal which I used once with success. The one to use depends on your specific needs. Talk to your pharmacist.
Also make sure you don’t only cut your nails but also file them carefully so they are perfectly smooth. The slightest notch will cause the nail to break on steel strings.
-
July 1, 2024 at 8:48 am #373395
I agree Jean-Michel, those picks are too long. I haven’t filed and shaped them yet. But I don’t think they will work because I can’t feel the strings and that’s important to me. Without that tactile feel I have difficulty knowing which string I’m on.
I’ve tried to keep my natural nails just barely long enough to extend over the flesh of the tip of my finger. They still chip/split/crack. I don’t like using the flesh of my finger because I can’t get the attack I like and it causes blisters quite easily. It creates a vicious cycle, get blisters/wait until they heal/get more blisters.
I really liked the Fred Kelly picks but they were so thick around my fingers I couldn’t easily pick without bumping into the next finger. The metal picks were better but they’re not comfortable for more than 10 or 15 minutes at a time.
It might just not be worth it to me to struggle learning finger style and I may just stick with flat picking.
Joe
The sight of a touch, or the scent of a sound,
Or the strength of an Oak with roots deep in the ground.
--Graeme Edge
-
-
AuthorReplies
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.