Finger Style or Travis Picking (With a Walking Bass Line in D)

If you’re wanting to learn how to finger pick (AKA Travis Style) then this could be the one for you! There’s two lessons in here for you. One is a basic Travis with the D, Dsus, D and D2 progression and then the other is a song that I composed which is Travis with Walking Bass Line in D. You may need to watch this one a couple times to get all the little tips that are in here, but don’t stress. Just have fun spending time with your guitar and creating beautiful music.

[@RogueWaveStudios_131]

I've seen a lot of videos on Travis picking, this ranks as the best. You finally break it down into a very simple and repeatable pattern for beginning to learn it well. Thanks James!

[@jamespitstick8823]

Thanks! I really appreciate it!

[@donaldgossett1736]

Good solid advice on hammer on sand walk downs in the open positions. I wish I had learned all the first position picking patterns first.

[@jamespitstick8823]

Thanks so much! A lot of listening to James Taylor and playing it by ear and this basic classical book helped me with this.

[@glennpresley2103]

Every time you go down with the thumb, come back up with the index finger. Practice the back and forth till you can do it without thinking about it. Starting out is like patting your head with one hand, while rubbing your stomach with the other one.

[@robertnewell5057]

Great guitar tone.

[@jamespitstick8823]

@@robertnewell5057 Thanks! I have quite a few guitars but find myself going back to the D-28 because it’s so easy to play and has a nice tone.

[@pdufusc]

backing out of that c note @ 9:40 is part of Norwegian wood....

[@jamespitstick8823]

@@pdufusc great song!!!

[@sundowner62james69]

Nice lesson ,thank you.

[@jamespitstick8823]

@@sundowner62james69 Thanks!

[@truthtotell7583]

It's wrong to refer to alternate bass/treble finger-picking as Travis picking. Merle Travis only EVER used his thumb and 1st finger! There were loads of guitar players playing proper alternate bass/treble finger style long before Merle Travis. A classic example is "Freight Train" by Elizabeth Cotten, but Mississippi John Hurt, Big Bill Broonzy, Blind Lemon Jefferson, Blind Boy Fuller, Willie McTell, Lightnin' Hopkins, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, Skip James and Charley Patton (to name but a few) all played amazing finger style, some of them before Merle Travis was even a twinkle in his Father's eye!! If you wish to promote a professional way of playing finger style/finger-picking/alt bass/treble then Travis is definitely NOT the name folks should be referring to!