You’re welcome. I’m glad the lessons are helping. I just posted lesson on how to fingerpick “Just Like That “ by Bonnie Raitt. Although it’s not the easiest song, I feel it’s a lesson that will help you understand the pattern. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Dennis thank you for sharing your knowledge. I never in a million years thought I'd get my head around this stuff let alone there was a formula known as Travis picking. You've opened up another door for me mate.
TommyTimebomb100 ... you’ve hit the nail on the head. Travis picking is nothing more than a formula, a scheme. Once you learn the pattern and develop your speed and accuracy and the ability to change chords rapidly in between, you’re home free. Good luck my friend. Keep me posted.
…great job breaking this down! I’m an old guy recently retired from the bar band blues scene. I’ve put away my Stratocasters, stomp boxes, and amplifiers and now I want to learn to play the down home finger style blues like the old masters such as Rev Gary Davis, Rob’t Johnson etc…it’s like being a beginner again! This stuff is very difficult but I think your tutorial here is going to help me nail it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I will forge on.
Thanks Dan, for your kind words. That may be my next endeavor, the blues (maybe from a fingerpicking approach). As far as this Travis-style fingerpicking “pattern” that I teach, your attitude that “it’s like being a beginner again” is a smart approach. Have you seen my most recent videos lessons (red) and accompanying exercises (blue). I’m sure they’ll help. I must explain my recent absence from my channel ; I’ve developed “trigger” finger on the middle finger of my fretting hand. A recent cortisone injection has alleviated the pain for the most part, but the finger still gets caught up during chord changes. Anyway, try those tutorials. The diagrams will help you. Cheers my friend.
Aha! I finally see the inside/outside scheme. In the past I was trying to apply inside/outside scheme to all 4 beats. For now and the early patterns I will use you scheme. Excellent tutorial. Thank you.
Alan Lister ... you’re welcome Alan! Lately, I’ve been focused on trying to come up with better ways to teach people how to do this. It’s so much fun to play this way. But I’ve got to get back to work doing covers again. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers my friend.
... Thanks Marcel. Once you master it, you’ll never forget it. It’s a matter of repetition. If you repeat something over and over again, muscle memory takes over and you’re home free then.
terry gray ... Thanks a lot Terry. This fingerpicking stuff can be tricky, especially Travis Picking. It took me at least a month to learn this and apply it. But I remember how elated I was to finally get it. I want everyone to experience that elation. Cheers.
Dennis Thank you for these lessons. I already learned a couple patterns from other guys on here before I saw yours. You have a great personality and your one of the best. I’m a new player and I’m 71 yrs. old. It’s sinful that I didn’t start as a kid. My Grand Father played Acoustic guitar and mandolin & my Dad acoustic guitar also. They always wanted me or my brothers to play & none of us ever did. My one nephew my oldest brothers son & my niece youngest brothers daughter play. They both played with my Dad before he died. Young people reading this, please don’t keep putting it off. Start playing NOW!
Jack Erie ... my dad sent me to a guitar teacher when I was 10 years old for about Two months. I didn’t practice and dad said he wouldn’t pay for lessons anymore. Anyway, that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers buddy.
I'm 69+ and feel the same. My family was full of singers but they didn't care much about instruments save a harmonium. But trying to fingerpick, I'm finally getting a purpose. Thanks again, Dennis!
David Horenstein ....Yes David, it is important to take it slow and yet practice daily, even if it’s for only 15 minutes a day. Focus on accuracy and precision in the beginning. Suddenly, and without warning, speed will happen automatically. Don’t give up. Have you seen my lesson, “Learn How to Travis Pick in 15 Minutes.” Give that a look. I flipped the graphics (per suggestions from viewers) that might help clear things up. Let me know what you think? Sorry for getting back to you late.
Excellent The clearest explanation yet. Do you show how to put in fills and riffs, combining with the basic pattern..using the rest of the fretboard ? Thankyou once again...From Andalucia. Sunny Spain.
Good question Terry! To be honest, I pretty much mostly just repeat the pattern through the chord changes with minimal melody notes unless they can be added without disrupting the pattern too much. Listen to my cover of “if I Needed You” by Townes Van Zandt, particularly the instrumental interlude; I utilized hammer-ons to inject some melody notes. Actually, I’m working on this very idea myself. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your support. I hope I was able to answer your question. Cheers my friend.
Salvatore Giacinto ... Thanks Salvatore. I’ve heard from subscribers that getting the thumb going is one thing; but then when you try adding the index finger, and then the middle finger ... well, that’s when it becomes almost unmanageable. Remember too, that, once you memorize the pattern and assign it to “muscle memory,” you can start moving this thing up and down. For example, playing it on the bottom 5 strings, I.e., the EADG and B Stings (leaving out the high E-string). Hey, I’m getting ready to post another tutorial, “How to Play ‘Hurt’” as played by Johnny Cash. Stay tuned. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers my friend.
I'm currently learning "Freight Train" ( as its probably the easiest tune for TPng) and I came a cross this lesson. This is real easy to play and it gives me confidence to continue with Travis Picking. Thank you for posting your lesson
Bill Collie ... You’re welcome Bill. I hope the tutorials are helpful. But I gotta say, “FREIGHT TRAIN” is not necessarily the “easiest” Travis picking song. After all, that particular song involves overlaying a melody line throughout, which is a little more difficult, although it would be the next phase of Travis picking. My tutorials deal more with “pattern” picking, which is essentially just the building block of Travis-Picking, the foundation so-to-speak. Nevertheless, “pattern” picking works very well for the likes of John Prine, Townes van Zandt, Blaze Foley, and many more. Good luck my friend.
bertaga41 .. Thanks so much. There is a variation in the time it takes to learn this. You were quick to respond! Congratulations! It took me a bit longer; but I was taught by a friend without the aid of the illustrations I’ve provided in my tutorials. I’m convinced that the tutorials will help many master this technique. Stay tuned. I’m preparing my next tutorial... adding melody line while Travis picking. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers my friend.
True Andy, it’s difficult in the beginning. Getting your thumb and fingers to coordinate is cumbersome and just requires repetition to overcome that awkwardness we experience in the beginning. Once the task is assigned to muscle memory, you’re home free. Good luck my friend.
Thanks Dennis, I am only at guitar since 2019 and over 50. I never heard of Travis picking until I seen documentary called Heartworn Highways and seen Townes van zandt on the porch. So it would a dream to finally nail the timing as I already have the pattern from your diagrams.
Martin Hamilton .... My middle name is Martin! Yes, I believe you’re correct. I have a friend who plays banjo where the “claw hammer” technique used in banjo finger picking is very similar to this pattern. Once you assign this pattern to muscle memory you’re home free. It’s difficult in the beginning to get the thumb and fingers to get coordinated. Persistence, perseverance, practice. With the quarantine going on, you’ve got a real opportunity to master this by the time they let you out. Stay healthy. Cheers my friend.
@@DennisAnthonis thanks for the upbeat wishes. It's the Earl Scruggs (Beverly Hillbillies) style picking where pinkie and ring fingers are planted under the strings, while thumb, index, and middle do all the picking. Travis style may use ring finger at times to pick also is that right?
Martin Hamilton ...Again, you are absolutely correct. I rarely use the ring finger unless I’m adding a melody line (as I did in “If I Needed You” and “Clay Pigeons”). Otherwise, mostly rely on the pattern. Remember, each chord is a triad; so no matter what note is plucked, they will all sound OK. Essentially, the fingers work the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings, while the thumb is assigned to the bass strings. It comes down to knowing which bass notes you elect to to allernate with for each chord and sticking with it. The more accurate and precise one becomes with the pattern and can swiftly change chords while maintaining the rhythm the better it sounds. Good luck buddy!
Thanks Bonnie. It took me a month to learn this. I was pretty stubborn. Very few are able to do it in a day. Most become fairly capable with a couple weeks. Be sure to visit each lesson; although repetitive in some way, each lesson offers something unique and will help in learning how to do this. Stay tuned Bonnie, I’m about to post a video on how to play “Caravan of Fools” by John Prine. I suspect this lesson will help you tremendously. Stay safe out there. Thanks for taking the time to comment. ❤️
Love your efforts to bring this style of picking to an easier level of understanding for us all. I am 70 and believe it will all come together for me by sticking to practice and perseverance. You make it clearer to see the path to success. One question though. Should I be anchoring my picking hand pinky and ring finger or not? I notice you do not. I have a habit of anchoring my pinky when I try normal fingerpicking . I don't know if that's considered a bad habit or not. Does it matter or not? At any rate, Thank you for these very informative videos. I appreciate your effort. I am subscribed and look forward to your videos. I enjoy your easy going style.
Thanks so much for your kind words. It is exactly this kind of response that makes all the effort that goes into producing these videos worthwhile. I’m fortunate to have a wife who is a graphic artist who prepares detailed chord charts and picking diagrams, which benefits beginners particularly. As for anchoring your pinky, I’m for for telling people to do what’s comfortable for you. I started out doing that. As I became more proficient at it, I found myself “hovering” more, and losing the pinky anchor. I think I did that instinctively; it seemed to free me up to float above the fretboard more readily. You’ll soon discover all this on your own. But thanks for the question; it was a great question. And thanks for subscribing. I appreciate your support. Please share my videos. And stay safe out there.
Mike Biggs ... Give it 15 minutes a day at least. Usually, on some days at least, that 15 minutes may turn to 30. In the beginning, focus on accuracy. Start out very slow. Speed will come automatically. You might want to look at my most recent tutorial, posted a couple weeks ago. Also, once you’re comfortable and learning new chords and changing chords in a timely fashion, you can check out some of my Travis-Picking covers; they’re all pretty easy. Good luck my friend.
Edward McGuigan ... You’re welcome Edward. I’m sure that, even if you’re new toTravis picking... if you apply 15 to 20 minutes every day for about a week utilizing the material from my tutorials, you’ll be a Travis-picking effortlessly within a week. I hope when it happens for you that you experience the elation I experienced when I finally got it. Cheers buddy.
Hi John. “You Got Gold” would be a great song for this pattern. Tell you what, after my hand surgery, I’ll work on that one. Great song, thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Dennis, Superb tutorial on the Travis Picking, a style that everyone should work because it opens doors on a vast repertoire. I love your presentation at the Star Wars. 😂😁 Well done my friend. 👍 Very nice week to you Musically Phil 🎵🎸
Philippe Barrilliez ...Thanks Phil. I appreciate your kind words. I remember when I finally figured this out. I was elated and rejuvenated to learn more songs after learning how to Travis pick. Cheers my friend. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Interestingly enough, I’ve thought about trying to put that together. Kerry Livgren (lead guitarist for Kansas) uses this same pattern except he adds one more note on the “&” following downbeat 4. Keep practicing the pattern 15 minutes every day. You must assign the pattern to muscle memory.
Tim Mooney ... Thanks for taking the time to comment. Check out the other three tutorials I produced on Travis picking, especially the first one, “Travis Picking Made Ridiculously Simple: A Tutorial.” Sadly, for many, this technique is not that simple. Stick with it. You’ll get it eventually. And when you do, you’ll be elated. Cheers from St. Louis MO.
This is great ! Wonderful that a few good people share their talents with others.... I would have a much easier time with this , if the pictures were in the same position as the guitar strings ... ( Rotate the string view 180 degrees ..)
Richard Reichow ... yeah, I hear you and I thought about it but apparently this orientation seems to be more standard. The best approach is to imagine you’re looking down at the guitar from above. It takes a while. I really appreciate the constructive criticism. I started producing these tutorials on how to Travis pick because I remember how elated I was when I finally learned how to do it. It’s not easy. But once you get it you’ll never lose it. Cheers my friend.👏🤝
Catherine Barnes ... Great question, yes Catherine! Because “Deep River Blues” is a song in 4/4 time, it would be a great song to apply a Travis picking pattern to it. What a great song! Thanks for listening and for the question. I appreciate your support. Cheers my friend.
That was nice, easy and practical. I always wondered why the teachers didn't give diagrams and I nearly gave up learning finger picking. Grateful, Dennis!! Having said that, I've hit a wall again. My muscle memory has set in, I can play a single chord rather fast but in changing chords I sound terribly predictable and monotonous. The sound is not flowing like you've shown. Especially the repetitive End G string pluck is sounding silly. What am I missing? I'm using the "Pinch", btw. Would it be too much of an ask to merge 3 chord diagrams and show it to us as a whole unit so we know how to transit between chords while playing this piece in one go?
… You’re very welcome Sandip. Sorry for not responding sooner; I’ve been incapacitated with trigger finger on the middle finger of my fretting hand. Visit my recent video tutorials (red) and accompanying exercises (blue). They’ll help a lot too.
@@DennisAnthonis Hi Dennis, hope all's fine! I've got another question. Seven notes appear in your chord diagram but at 11.30 and around, when you're doing at normal speed, you're possibly adding an 8th note which makes it more musical. Am I getting that wrong? Also, though my muscle memory has set in and I can play individual chords fast, the chord change is not sounding good. Can you just add a diagram of the chord change please?
Hi and thanks Dennis, I appreciate and enjoy your videos. Question; in the second half easier to learn technique, are you playing 6/8 time? I count 6 beats (plucks) before you repeat. Just curious how that works. Thanks!
Good question. I think you’re confusing plucked notes (6) with the total count in a 4/4 time signature (8). You’re not counting the “&” after downbeat 1 and downbeat 4. Interestingly enough, in “Dust in the Wind,” Kerry Livgren (lead guitarist) simply adds another plucked note at the end of the pattern (on the “&” following downbeat 4). That doesn’t make it 7/8 time. Also, 6/8 time is, to me, an extension of 3/4 time (Waltz Time), both of which are incompatible with Travis picking. Travis picking is based on an alternative bass pattern and this mandates 4/4 time. I hope this helps and clears things up. Please visit my TH-cam channel and review some of my other tutorials. They’ll help too. I really appreciate how well you articulated your question. The best
Dennis, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I really hate to complain, but the right hand is commonly referred using P-I-M-A. Pulgar is the thumb. Index, Middle are as you have it. Annular is the ring finger. It might help in other studies if people know the more common terms. Otherwise many thumbs up for you, sir! Thanks.
It’s Rob ... Thanks Rob. I am familiar with the PIMA reference to labeling the digits. However, I felt that more people are familiar with the English terminology for the digits. I think that people wishing to learn fingerpicking techniques probably are aware of both sets of terms and lessons using one over the other will not be deterred over labeling. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your constructive criticism. Cheers buddy.
Still struggling but improving. your suggestions definitely are helping. Are you familiar with Gordon Lightfoot's "song for a winters night" ? Beautiful love song with a picking pattern that sounds an awful lot like the one you explain in this video. If you could play a little of this song for me it would be awesome.
... I love Gordon Lightfoot, saw him in St. Louis in the old Field House at Washington University in the 70s, at the height of his popularity. I love his cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” especially on his 12-string guitar. His voice rings like a bell.
Hey Dennis old friend, wanted you to know I passed this along to a granddaughter type who has been getting interested in my stuff and wants me to teach her.....but.....I have you to illuminate her potential.......stay well Maestro.
@@walterfish2 ... You’re in St. Louis, right? Hey, have you learned my pattern yet? If you haven’t, you should learn it with your granddaughter. When you get it down, learn “Blowing in the wind” first. Then “Don’t Think Twice” next. Really?
@@DennisAnthonis I'm just south of Memphis, granddaughter doesn't seem to have the passion needed to accomplish any real level on the instrument. I'm 8 weeks post wrist surgery and just now starting to be able to play a tad or two again now. I do so enjoy watching and listening to your work, and vicariously getting some satisfaction in that regard. Thanks buddy.
I actually have a bad habit of doing this, I never even realized it was Travis picking untill now lol. Shows what I know. This is so awesome of you to share your talents and knowledge with the world. I tried to make a guitar tutorial ONCE and it was crap, took me so long to edit. How long did this take you to make? Can't wait to catch up on videos of yours that I've missed somehow.
Justin Lelbach ... this lesson took a couple weeks to produce, although in actual hours, probably 10 Or 12. My wife is a graphic designer and she helps me with that end. Thanks for your kind words. Do you have any requests? Cheers buddy!
Thanks! For me, the first part seemed more satisfying without the pinch. Not wrong so, or is it?. It would be great also if I knew how it changes with the chords played, I mean, how to pick in different chords. Thanks anyway, there is at last much work to be done with the start part to get familiar with! Nice song at the end!
Miicca ...Thanks for listening. The song at the end was the first two verses to the song “Mama’s Eyes,” by Justin Townes Earle. Any song in 4/4 Time can be Travis picked. The pinch is suggested just to serve as a way to divide the scheme into three parts. Of course, once you learn the pattern you can elect to not use the “pinch.” Visit my other tutorials on Travis picking, especially the first one. It explains how to change chords while picking. Thanks again for listening. Cheers!
I can easily finger picking other travis picking patterns, but I struggle with windy and warm. For some reason instead of keep a steady thumb, I tend to pinch the bass and the melody all the time and can't fix this. Any suggestions?
... Excellent question; occasionally, you will necessarily have to play a melody note simultaneously with a bass note (the “pinch”). But as long as you maintain The alternating bass notes as much as possible, you’ll succeed. Keep it up; you’re well on your way my friend.
Wooo "Mama's Eyes" that's a new one to me. I love it! Are you going to cover it? If so I'll not search for it because once I hear you do these story teller songs it's as if everyone else does it wrong, including the original.
Justin Lelbach ... Thanks so much for your kind words. I just threw those first couple verses of that song in at the end because it was another song that can be Travis picked. It is a wonderful song. I’ll post the whole song next week. Thanks for the request. Cheers Justin!
I really like your lessons thank you very much,but I think I know the reason why people are confused as I was confused until I realized that Merle Travis didn't use his ring finger. Anyone who watched any other lessons, they don't use the thumb on the g string. They use their index.
Doug Twigg ... yes, there are many different styles with varying fingers assigned to varying strings. Please visit my video “Which Travis Picking Pattern Do I Start With?”
ETC Flyers ... well noted my friend. Others have stated similar complaints. Stay tuned! I’m working on a lesson on how to play “Just Breathe,” utilizing this exact pattern, where I’ll reverse the the chord diagrams as well as the picking pattern diagrams per the suggestions of observant people like you, who take the time to observe and make suggestions. Thank you!
It would be better without the diagram for me..It blocks your guitar playing..The diagram is confusing but seeing you hitting the strings works better.
Lisa Little . ... actually, I was very careful not to place diagrams in the way of either hand. I have to believe that you perhaps have not really looked at any one tutorial start to finish non- stop. You only have to learn one measure (1&2&3&4&). It takes repetition. Repetition then becomes muscle memory. Muscle memory on the pattern evolves to increased speed and your enhanced ability to change chords while maintaining the pattern and the rhythm... that’s when you take off. Try my video “Learn to Travis Pick in 15 Minutes.” Let me know if that helps. Good luck my friend.
Great lesson, many thanks.
You’re welcome my friend.
Thank you very much finally making some more progress on Travis picking.
You’re welcome. I’m glad the lessons are helping. I just posted lesson on how to fingerpick “Just Like That “ by Bonnie Raitt. Although it’s not the easiest song, I feel it’s a lesson that will help you understand the pattern. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Give my new lesson a look. The graphics are new and improved. I’m sure it will help.
th-cam.com/video/xxDS91mF35k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=eeasFYAvltVMZTWV
Dennis thank you for sharing your knowledge.
I never in a million years thought I'd get my head around this stuff let alone there was a formula known as Travis picking.
You've opened up another door for me mate.
TommyTimebomb100 ... you’ve hit the nail on the head. Travis picking is nothing more than a formula, a scheme. Once you learn the pattern and develop your speed and accuracy and the ability to change chords rapidly in between, you’re home free. Good luck my friend. Keep me posted.
Tommy, give this a try!
th-cam.com/video/xxDS91mF35k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=eeasFYAvltVMZTWV
…great job breaking this down! I’m an old guy recently retired from the bar band blues scene. I’ve put away my Stratocasters, stomp boxes, and amplifiers and now I want to learn to play the down home finger style blues like the old masters such as Rev Gary Davis, Rob’t Johnson etc…it’s like being a beginner again! This stuff is very difficult but I think your tutorial here is going to help me nail it. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. I will forge on.
Thanks Dan, for your kind words. That may be my next endeavor, the blues (maybe from a fingerpicking approach). As far as this Travis-style fingerpicking “pattern” that I teach, your attitude that “it’s like being a beginner again” is a smart approach. Have you seen my most recent videos lessons (red) and accompanying exercises (blue). I’m sure they’ll help. I must explain my recent absence from my channel ; I’ve developed “trigger” finger on the middle finger of my fretting hand. A recent cortisone injection has alleviated the pain for the most part, but the finger still gets caught up during chord changes. Anyway, try those tutorials. The diagrams will help you. Cheers my friend.
Aha! I finally see the inside/outside scheme. In the past I was trying to apply inside/outside scheme to all 4 beats. For now and the early patterns I will use you scheme. Excellent tutorial. Thank you.
Thanks Ed.
Thank you. Put it in terms I can understand and build on.
Alan Lister ... you’re welcome Alan! Lately, I’ve been focused on trying to come up with better ways to teach people how to do this. It’s so much fun to play this way. But I’ve got to get back to work doing covers again. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers my friend.
Awesome! wonderful performance!! really great job!!
Thanks for listening
I have a metronome and helps. I need my brain and picking hand to smarten up and get it together. Great video. Will be watching more than a few times!
Remember, “15 minutes a day!”
Thank you so much for this method of learning the technique Dennis.
I found this much easier to get my head around.
... Thanks Marcel. Once you master it, you’ll never forget it. It’s a matter of repetition. If you repeat something over and over again, muscle memory takes over and you’re home free then.
Awesome work Dennis, many thanks.
Stanley Thomson ... You’re welcome Stanley. I hope it helped.
Without guys like you we be spending a lot of money on private lessons.you are a true gentleman .thank you
terry gray ... Thanks a lot Terry. This fingerpicking stuff can be tricky, especially Travis Picking. It took me at least a month to learn this and apply it. But I remember how elated I was to finally get it. I want everyone to experience that elation. Cheers.
Thank you.
You’re welcome. I hope the tutorials are helping.
Dennis Thank you for these lessons. I already learned a couple patterns from other guys on here before I saw yours. You have a great personality and your one of the best. I’m a new player and I’m 71 yrs. old. It’s sinful that I didn’t start as a kid. My Grand Father played Acoustic guitar and mandolin & my Dad acoustic guitar also. They always wanted me or my brothers to play & none of us ever did. My one nephew my oldest brothers son & my niece youngest brothers daughter play. They both played with my Dad before he died. Young people reading this, please don’t keep putting it off. Start playing NOW!
Jack Erie ... my dad sent me to a guitar teacher when I was 10 years old for about Two months. I didn’t practice and dad said he wouldn’t pay for lessons anymore. Anyway, that was one of the biggest mistakes of my life. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers buddy.
I'm 69+ and feel the same. My family was full of singers but they didn't care much about instruments save a harmonium. But trying to fingerpick, I'm finally getting a purpose. Thanks again, Dennis!
Thank you Dennis. I have ordered a thumb pick and am hoping it will help me with what you are trying to teach!
David Horenstein ....Yes David, it is important to take it slow and yet practice daily, even if it’s for only 15 minutes a day. Focus on accuracy and precision in the beginning. Suddenly, and without warning, speed will happen automatically. Don’t give up. Have you seen my lesson, “Learn How to Travis Pick in 15 Minutes.” Give that a look. I flipped the graphics (per suggestions from viewers) that might help clear things up. Let me know what you think? Sorry for getting back to you late.
Excellent The clearest explanation yet.
Do you show how to put in fills and riffs, combining with the basic pattern..using the rest of the fretboard ?
Thankyou once again...From Andalucia. Sunny Spain.
Good question Terry! To be honest, I pretty much mostly just repeat the pattern through the chord changes with minimal melody notes unless they can be added without disrupting the pattern too much. Listen to my cover of “if I Needed You” by Townes Van Zandt, particularly the instrumental interlude; I utilized hammer-ons to inject some melody notes. Actually, I’m working on this very idea myself. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your support. I hope I was able to answer your question. Cheers my friend.
That's master class beutiful start. thanks
Thanks Behnam. I hope the tutorials are helpful. Thanks for stopping by.
Thanks a million. Inside / Outside was the key to it all for me. I'll be checking out your other stuff as well. Thanks again!
Salvatore Giacinto ... Thanks Salvatore. I’ve heard from subscribers that getting the thumb going is one thing; but then when you try adding the index finger, and then the middle finger ... well, that’s when it becomes almost unmanageable. Remember too, that, once you memorize the pattern and assign it to “muscle memory,” you can start moving this thing up and down. For example, playing it on the bottom 5 strings, I.e., the EADG and B Stings (leaving out the high E-string). Hey, I’m getting ready to post another tutorial, “How to Play ‘Hurt’” as played by Johnny Cash. Stay tuned. Thanks for the feedback. Cheers my friend.
Hey, give this look. It will help a lot.
th-cam.com/video/xxDS91mF35k/w-d-xo.htmlsi=eeasFYAvltVMZTWV
I'm currently learning "Freight Train" ( as its probably the easiest tune for TPng) and I came a cross this lesson. This is real easy to play and it gives me confidence to continue with Travis Picking. Thank you for posting your lesson
Bill Collie ... You’re welcome Bill. I hope the tutorials are helpful. But I gotta say, “FREIGHT TRAIN” is not necessarily the “easiest” Travis picking song. After all, that particular song involves overlaying a melody line throughout, which is a little more difficult, although it would be the next phase of Travis picking. My tutorials deal more with “pattern” picking, which is essentially just the building block of Travis-Picking, the foundation so-to-speak. Nevertheless, “pattern” picking works very well for the likes of John Prine, Townes van Zandt, Blaze Foley, and many more. Good luck my friend.
fantastic.i heard the intro music and thought I get this now.and lo and behold I played it.So simple , I just had to listen!
bertaga41 .. Thanks so much. There is a variation in the time it takes to learn this. You were quick to respond! Congratulations! It took me a bit longer; but I was taught by a friend without the aid of the illustrations I’ve provided in my tutorials. I’m convinced that the tutorials will help many master this technique. Stay tuned. I’m preparing my next tutorial... adding melody line while Travis picking. Anyway, thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. Cheers my friend.
Like you say slow and correct, especially with a metronome to keep the rhythm. It took me a long time but I got it. Thank you Dennis.
True Andy, it’s difficult in the beginning. Getting your thumb and fingers to coordinate is cumbersome and just requires repetition to overcome that awkwardness we experience in the beginning. Once the task is assigned to muscle memory, you’re home free. Good luck my friend.
Thanks Dennis, I am only at guitar since 2019 and over 50. I never heard of Travis picking until I seen documentary called Heartworn Highways and seen Townes van zandt on the porch. So it would a dream to finally nail the timing as I already have the pattern from your diagrams.
@@andydug ...Yes, Townes van Zandt uses this same pattern. Remember Andy, 15 minutes a day!
It's Done thanks so much. That last finger took me longer than all the rest.
Thank you a lot Dennise. From Madrid. Eres una gran persona y enseñas de maravilla. He apuntado todo in my notebook. Gracias otra vez.
... You’re welcome Juan. I am happy you are finding the lessons helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Cheers from St. Louis.
Very big help. Similar to Scruggs banjo style.
Martin Hamilton .... My middle name is Martin! Yes, I believe you’re correct. I have a friend who plays banjo where the “claw hammer” technique used in banjo finger picking is very similar to this pattern. Once you assign this pattern to muscle memory you’re home free. It’s difficult in the beginning to get the thumb and fingers to get coordinated. Persistence, perseverance, practice. With the quarantine going on, you’ve got a real opportunity to master this by the time they let you out. Stay healthy. Cheers my friend.
@@DennisAnthonis thanks for the upbeat wishes. It's the Earl Scruggs (Beverly Hillbillies) style picking where pinkie and ring fingers are planted under the strings, while thumb, index, and middle do all the picking. Travis style may use ring finger at times to pick also is that right?
Martin Hamilton ...Again, you are absolutely correct. I rarely use the ring finger unless I’m adding a melody line (as I did in “If I Needed You” and “Clay Pigeons”). Otherwise, mostly rely on the pattern. Remember, each chord is a triad; so no matter what note is plucked, they will all sound OK. Essentially, the fingers work the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd strings, while the thumb is assigned to the bass strings. It comes down to knowing which bass notes you elect to to allernate with for each chord and sticking with it. The more accurate and precise one becomes with the pattern and can swiftly change chords while maintaining the rhythm the better it sounds. Good luck buddy!
Thank you for this lesson - it really made sense to me and I really feel confident I will be able to do this Travis pick now - cheers 🎶🤗
Thanks Bonnie. It took me a month to learn this. I was pretty stubborn. Very few are able to do it in a day. Most become fairly capable with a couple weeks. Be sure to visit each lesson; although repetitive in some way, each lesson offers something unique and will help in learning how to do this. Stay tuned Bonnie, I’m about to post a video on how to play “Caravan of Fools” by John Prine. I suspect this lesson will help you tremendously. Stay safe out there. Thanks for taking the time to comment. ❤️
Love your efforts to bring this style of picking to an easier level of understanding for us all. I am 70 and believe it will all come together for me by sticking to practice and perseverance. You make it clearer to see the path to success. One question though. Should I be anchoring my picking hand pinky and ring finger or not? I notice you do not. I have a habit of anchoring my pinky when I try normal fingerpicking . I don't know if that's considered a bad habit or not. Does it matter or not? At any rate, Thank you for these very informative videos. I appreciate your effort. I am subscribed and look forward to your videos. I enjoy your easy going style.
Thanks so much for your kind words. It is exactly this kind of response that makes all the effort that goes into producing these videos worthwhile. I’m fortunate to have a wife who is a graphic artist who prepares detailed chord charts and picking diagrams, which benefits beginners particularly. As for anchoring your pinky, I’m for for telling people to do what’s comfortable for you. I started out doing that. As I became more proficient at it, I found myself “hovering” more, and losing the pinky anchor. I think I did that instinctively; it seemed to free me up to float above the fretboard more readily. You’ll soon discover all this on your own. But thanks for the question; it was a great question. And thanks for subscribing. I appreciate your support. Please share my videos. And stay safe out there.
Just came across this and found it very useful. Thanks. Now gotta practice!
Mike Biggs ... Give it 15 minutes a day at least. Usually, on some days at least, that 15 minutes may turn to 30. In the beginning, focus on accuracy. Start out very slow. Speed will come automatically. You might want to look at my most recent tutorial, posted a couple weeks ago. Also, once you’re comfortable and learning new chords and changing chords in a timely fashion, you can check out some of my Travis-Picking covers; they’re all pretty easy. Good luck my friend.
Thanks Dennis.. your lesson was very helpful 😊
P J ... you’re welcome P J. Thanks for stopping by.
Great tutorial Denis.
David Jermy ... Thanks for visiting! I hope you found the tutorial helpful. I appreciate you taking the time to comment. Cheers David.
Thank you Denis I’ve got it this amazing tutorial can’t thank enough next root 6 and 4 checking out your other tutorials peace and love from Scotland
Edward McGuigan ... You’re welcome Edward. I’m sure that, even if you’re new toTravis picking... if you apply 15 to 20 minutes every day for about a week utilizing the material from my tutorials, you’ll be a Travis-picking effortlessly within a week. I hope when it happens for you that you experience the elation I experienced when I finally got it. Cheers buddy.
Could you do a lesson on you got gold John prime . Thanks John
Hi John. “You Got Gold” would be a great song for this pattern. Tell you what, after my hand surgery, I’ll work on that one. Great song, thanks for the suggestion.
Hi Dennis,
Superb tutorial on the Travis Picking, a style that everyone should work because it opens doors on a vast repertoire. I love your presentation at the Star Wars. 😂😁
Well done my friend.
👍
Very nice week to you
Musically
Phil 🎵🎸
Philippe Barrilliez ...Thanks Phil. I appreciate your kind words. I remember when I finally figured this out. I was elated and rejuvenated to learn more songs after learning how to Travis pick. Cheers my friend. Hope all is well with you and yours.
Thanks 🙏 Warm cheers 😊 God bless 🙏🎸🎶
... Thanks for listening and for taking the time to comment. Cheers buddy.
@@DennisAnthonis 👍🎶😊
hi Dennis. Would it be possible to do dust in the wind. Thanks
Interestingly enough, I’ve thought about trying to put that together. Kerry Livgren (lead guitarist for Kansas) uses this same pattern except he adds one more note on the “&” following downbeat 4. Keep practicing the pattern 15 minutes every day. You must assign the pattern to muscle memory.
Thanks Dennis, very helpful.
Tim Mooney ... Thanks for taking the time to comment. Check out the other three tutorials I produced on Travis picking, especially the first one, “Travis Picking Made Ridiculously Simple: A Tutorial.” Sadly, for many, this technique is not that simple. Stick with it. You’ll get it eventually. And when you do, you’ll be elated. Cheers from St. Louis MO.
thanks this really helped, you sound like Billy Bob Thornton lol. You are a good teacher
You’re welcome Walter. I’m glad the tutorials are helping. Thanks for the Billy Bob compliment.
thanks from sweden 🇸🇪🇸🇪🇸🇪👍
… you’re welcome my friend. Thanks for watching and for taking the time to comment.
Dennis do you have a list of songs we could play using this method.
Any cover I do on my channel where I’m fingerpicking, you can bet it’s this pattern. Check them out and I think you can follow along.
This is great ! Wonderful that a few good people share their talents with others....
I would have a much easier time with this , if the pictures were in the same position as
the guitar strings ... ( Rotate the string view 180 degrees ..)
Richard Reichow ... yeah, I hear you and I thought about it but apparently this orientation seems to be more standard. The best approach is to imagine you’re looking down at the guitar from above. It takes a while. I really appreciate the constructive criticism. I started producing these tutorials on how to Travis pick because I remember how elated I was when I finally learned how to do it. It’s not easy. But once you get it you’ll never lose it. Cheers my friend.👏🤝
Hi Dennis another great Lesson Thank you, is it possible to Travis pick Deep River Blues
Catherine Barnes ... Great question, yes Catherine! Because “Deep River Blues” is a song in 4/4 time, it would be a great song to apply a Travis picking pattern to it. What a great song! Thanks for listening and for the question. I appreciate your support. Cheers my friend.
That was nice, easy and practical. I always wondered why the teachers didn't give diagrams and I nearly gave up learning finger picking. Grateful, Dennis!!
Having said that, I've hit a wall again. My muscle memory has set in, I can play a single chord rather fast but in changing chords I sound terribly predictable and monotonous. The sound is not flowing like you've shown. Especially the repetitive End G string pluck is sounding silly. What am I missing? I'm using the "Pinch", btw.
Would it be too much of an ask to merge 3 chord diagrams and show it to us as a whole unit so we know how to transit between chords while playing this piece in one go?
… You’re very welcome Sandip. Sorry for not responding sooner; I’ve been incapacitated with trigger finger on the middle finger of my fretting hand. Visit my recent video tutorials (red) and accompanying exercises (blue). They’ll help a lot too.
@@DennisAnthonis Get cured soon, Dennis, we need you. Will try as you said:-)
@@DennisAnthonis Hi Dennis, hope all's fine! I've got another question. Seven notes appear in your chord diagram but at 11.30 and around, when you're doing at normal speed, you're possibly adding an 8th note which makes it more musical. Am I getting that wrong? Also, though my muscle memory has set in and I can play individual chords fast, the chord change is not sounding good. Can you just add a diagram of the chord change please?
Love the way you explain this, I’ve been struggling with Travis Picking for the last month
You’ll get it eventually my friend. Don’t give up. When it happens, you’ll understand why you persisted.
Hi and thanks Dennis, I appreciate and enjoy your videos. Question; in the second half easier to learn technique, are you playing 6/8 time? I count 6 beats (plucks) before you repeat. Just curious how that works. Thanks!
Good question. I think you’re confusing plucked notes (6) with the total count in a 4/4 time signature (8). You’re not counting the “&” after downbeat 1 and downbeat 4. Interestingly enough, in “Dust in the Wind,” Kerry Livgren (lead guitarist) simply adds another plucked note at the end of the pattern (on the “&” following downbeat 4). That doesn’t make it 7/8 time. Also, 6/8 time is, to me, an extension of 3/4 time (Waltz Time), both of which are incompatible with Travis picking. Travis picking is based on an alternative bass pattern and this mandates 4/4 time. I hope this helps and clears things up. Please visit my TH-cam channel and review some of my other tutorials. They’ll help too. I really appreciate how well you articulated your question. The best
Dennis, thank you so much for sharing your knowledge. I really hate to complain, but the right hand is commonly referred using P-I-M-A. Pulgar is the thumb. Index, Middle are as you have it. Annular is the ring finger. It might help in other studies if people know the more common terms. Otherwise many thumbs up for you, sir! Thanks.
It’s Rob ... Thanks Rob. I am familiar with the PIMA reference to labeling the digits. However, I felt that more people are familiar with the English terminology for the digits. I think that people wishing to learn fingerpicking techniques probably are aware of both sets of terms and lessons using one over the other will not be deterred over labeling. Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment. I appreciate your constructive criticism. Cheers buddy.
Still struggling but improving. your suggestions definitely are helping. Are you familiar with Gordon Lightfoot's "song for a winters night" ? Beautiful love song with a picking pattern that sounds an awful lot like the one you explain in this video. If you could play a little of this song for me it would be awesome.
... I love Gordon Lightfoot, saw him in St. Louis in the old Field House at Washington University in the 70s, at the height of his popularity. I love his cover of “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face,” especially on his 12-string guitar. His voice rings like a bell.
I’ll check out that song! Thanks for the suggestion. If it’s something within my wheel house I’ll take a stab at showing you something.
Very nice! Keep up the great work! Glad you’re back to playing!
Meepstr ... Thanks Meepster.
Hey Dennis old friend, wanted you to know I passed this along to a granddaughter type who has been getting interested in my stuff and wants me to teach her.....but.....I have you to illuminate her potential.......stay well Maestro.
Thanks Wally; I’m flattered. How old is she. I’ve had some success teaching this. It’s a nifty pattern and fun to play.
@@DennisAnthonis shes 22, second year Berklee. Back in Canton Ohio for the summer, then on to Nashville.
@@walterfish2 ... You’re in St. Louis, right? Hey, have you learned my pattern yet? If you haven’t, you should learn it with your granddaughter. When you get it down, learn “Blowing in the wind” first. Then “Don’t Think Twice” next. Really?
@@DennisAnthonis I'm just south of Memphis, granddaughter doesn't seem to have the passion needed to accomplish any real level on the instrument.
I'm 8 weeks post wrist surgery and just now starting to be able to play a tad or two again now.
I do so enjoy watching and listening to your work, and vicariously getting some satisfaction in that regard.
Thanks buddy.
I actually have a bad habit of doing this, I never even realized it was Travis picking untill now lol. Shows what I know. This is so awesome of you to share your talents and knowledge with the world. I tried to make a guitar tutorial ONCE and it was crap, took me so long to edit. How long did this take you to make?
Can't wait to catch up on videos of yours that I've missed somehow.
Justin Lelbach ... this lesson took a couple weeks to produce, although in actual hours, probably 10 Or 12. My wife is a graphic designer and she helps me with that end. Thanks for your kind words. Do you have any requests? Cheers buddy!
Ótima aula vc t o PDF por favor
Thank you. Sebastiao. Unfortunately, I do not have PDFs.
Thanks! For me, the first part seemed more satisfying without the pinch. Not wrong so, or is it?. It would be great also if I knew how it changes with the chords played, I mean, how to pick in different chords. Thanks anyway, there is at last much work to be done with the start part to get familiar with! Nice song at the end!
Miicca ...Thanks for listening. The song at the end was the first two verses to the song “Mama’s Eyes,” by Justin Townes Earle. Any song in 4/4 Time can be Travis picked. The pinch is suggested just to serve as a way to divide the scheme into three parts. Of course, once you learn the pattern you can elect to not use the “pinch.” Visit my other tutorials on Travis picking, especially the first one. It explains how to change chords while picking. Thanks again for listening. Cheers!
I can easily finger picking other travis picking patterns, but I struggle with windy and warm. For some reason instead of keep a steady thumb, I tend to pinch the bass and the melody all the time and can't fix this. Any suggestions?
... Excellent question; occasionally, you will necessarily have to play a melody note simultaneously with a bass note (the “pinch”). But as long as you maintain The alternating bass notes as much as possible, you’ll succeed. Keep it up; you’re well on your way my friend.
Great job my dear friend! Greetings from Barcelona 👍👍
Aura Guitar Music ... Thank you my friend. I appreciate that very much, especially when it comes from a wonderful musician such as you.
Wooo "Mama's Eyes" that's a new one to me. I love it! Are you going to cover it? If so I'll not search for it because once I hear you do these story teller songs it's as if everyone else does it wrong, including the original.
Justin Lelbach ... Thanks so much for your kind words. I just threw those first couple verses of that song in at the end because it was another song that can be Travis picked. It is a wonderful song. I’ll post the whole song next week. Thanks for the request. Cheers Justin!
I really like your lessons thank you very much,but I think I know the reason why people are confused as I was confused until I realized that Merle Travis didn't use his ring finger. Anyone who watched any other lessons, they don't use the thumb on the g string. They use their index.
Doug Twigg ... yes, there are many different styles with varying fingers assigned to varying strings. Please visit my video “Which Travis Picking Pattern Do I Start With?”
Too bad the string graph is upside down it makes it harder to connect he chart with the actual string layout
ETC Flyers ... well noted my friend. Others have stated similar complaints. Stay tuned! I’m working on a lesson on how to play “Just Breathe,” utilizing this exact pattern, where I’ll reverse the the chord diagrams as well as the picking pattern diagrams per the suggestions of observant people like you, who take the time to observe and make suggestions. Thank you!
its hard to do it fast
... you’ll get faster; you start out slow and accurate. Like I say, speed kinda comes automatically.
It’s true, just keep practicing, after a few days it starts going automatically..
...15 minutes a day! Keep it up my friend.
I already play the song, Bright eyes one of my favorite bands, than you!
You’re welcome Francesco. Thanks for listening.
you can see he really wants to teach you not tease you
It would be better without the diagram for me..It blocks your guitar playing..The diagram is confusing but seeing you hitting the strings works better.
Lisa Little . ... actually, I was very careful not to place diagrams in the way of either hand. I have to believe that you perhaps have not really looked at any one tutorial start to finish non- stop. You only have to learn one measure (1&2&3&4&). It takes repetition. Repetition then becomes muscle memory. Muscle memory on the pattern evolves to increased speed and your enhanced ability to change chords while maintaining the pattern and the rhythm... that’s when you take off. Try my video “Learn to Travis Pick in 15 Minutes.” Let me know if that helps. Good luck my friend.
That is not Travis picking. That is common finger picking, there is a huge difference.
... Explain the difference.
I'm fairly sure you are wrong about what it is Dennis is trying to teach to the unlearned. Stick with it son it'll come to you.
I agree. It’s not the same pattern that Tommy Emanuel teaches. And when I what Chet Atkins play. It doesn’t match what he’s doing either.