Travis Picking Guitar Lesson

[someguyy2]

Ive been curious what exactly is the Travis picking?What is it for?Is it any different then the normal finger picking? Ive looked everywhere but still cant find the answer so i decided to comment on this video.COMPLETE BEGINNER WITH GUITAR

[alanganin18]

reminds me of dust in the wind.

[ourscienceisasham]

this is not a travis picking tutorial. it's some guy playing it. those who know it, don't need this, those who don't, can't use it. so, fuck you.

[Daytripper199211]

@ourscienceisasham i didn't know how to do this, i watched this video and now i do, i've been playing for maybe 6 months, if ur not retarded you can follow him, quit ur bitching

[ourscienceisasham]

@Daytripper199211 glad it helped you.

[UKToneHunter]

Can you use the ring finger in travis picking, as I was using the thumb index and midex like mark knopfler uses, but now I use the ring finger as well, because it seems like you can play faster that way, and its less work moving your 2 fingers around ?

[ricky8911]

thank you soo much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! xD



[denningbil]

Love this little lesson, but as an old fart and a beginner, I don't know what you mean by G over B and A minor 7th. Could I find these cords in tablature?

[l87kmps]

Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge, and for everyone who has learned from your generosity;

"U R what makes U tube so wonderful, not the folks who critisize"

A guitar student of life

[Kougeru]

i wanted to watch this but his bent thumb made it unbearable. no offense meant, it's like those babies that eat on funniest home videos...just cant watch it

[TheGenie165]

where i come from its called clawhammer style lol

[CAVEDWELLER007]

Who cares what its called, it's all about the music, and this lesson helps get beginners there...Great video.

[MrGuimbard]

nice!

[MrBurgular]

i'm a beginner. this is great video, for learners like myself. thanks dude!

[lelong6strings]

This a light folk picking, not Travis picking, sorry...

[ArthurRotfeld]

We've been over this in the past. This is not Travis' style, obviously, but it's what is called Travis picking. Sorry....

[C0ldFart]

@ArthurRotfeld agreed, Travis Picking seems to be a basic bass, with different variations on top - very nice vid :-)

[lens33]

@ArthurRotfeld Q:How many guitarists does it take to make a YouTube video?

A: 1000. 1 to do the work and 999 to comment on how they could improve it.

[tomthefunky]

Hey Arthur, anyone ever tell you look like Paul Butterfield?

[MrBIOSkunk]

Thankyou very much - I am currently practicing what you are playing and I'm getting there.

There's a few songs with this exact fingerstyle and this has helped greatly to build up my speed.

Really appreciate your help, and your other videos have some great music in them.

[journeyquest1]

Dust in the wind. All we are is dust on you tube.

[schoolgirlscaptain]

thanks for the post man.... this will be helpful to ME ! nice guitfiddle by the way....

[TheCpjay]

this is supossed to be travis picking a sayin an annoying nasal voice! he spends half the video on chord changes rushing the important part? the picking rememmmberrr??? sheesh lol

[BobbyEeee]

All the slicing-and-dicing comments I've seen on this aside, I think this is an excellent introduction to the Travis-picking vibe, whether or not it conforms to some - exact - definition of the same.

[ArthurRotfeld]

Yes...take it for what it is....a simple fingerstyle pop pattern. Like it or not, "Travis picking" has little to do with Mr. Travis, at least in the context of 60s and 70s pop......

[rhiannon51070]

kcpd2050 - I was going to say the exact same thing.

[jefferzone61]

"and just about everything Chet Atkins ever recorded" hahhahaha

[BrandonNorth1120]

lol.

[versipicker]

Nice lesson, but not even close to Travis Style.

[captainmutiny]

No, but the technique is called "Travis Picking" lot's of people took it and did their own thing.

[winstonian88]

I agree. What Stevie Nicks plays in Landslide is totally different from what he is playing here. Here he's playing the Travis picking from Dust in the Wind.

[monkeydust012]

If you put a Capo on the 3rd fret then it will sound the same ; )

[winstonian88]

I'll stay out of the debate over the EXACT definition of Travis picking. But this is the pattern played in Dust in the Wind, not Landslide, and which most would call Travis picking. Regardless of where you put the capo, it simply isn't played like this. It's quite different actually.

[horsedooty]

I like to use the G/B when moving to the 4 chord playing in Dropped D tuning. Very effective just never knew what it was called. I knew it was a G chord shape but never gave it too much thought.  Thanks.

[kirtankar]

G over B (G/B) is

X2003X

[lakecharlesfrankie]

I like it. Can you tell me what is the G over b position that you keep referring to? What notes are you playing? Thanks..

[nino194760]

me gusta ...lastima que no se hable en español

[acountrygent]

in the sixties we called this 'pattern picking'. Travis picking depends on a slightly muted bass and a clearer melody line as opposed to repetitious notes.

. Check Y/T for Merle Travis and notice the difference.

nice pattern picking though...

[slaven91]

the song he plays is dust in the wind

[draegont]

The song he's demonstrating is Landslide. The pattern and timing for Dust In The Wind is a little different, as are the chord changes. I played and recorded both, great songs and fun to play.

[kcpd2050]

If he had a capo on the third fret everyone would recognize it.

[thepumpdontwork]

Hey Arthur this is a word of thanks. I saw this vid some months back. Your clear demonstration decoded the mystery of travis for me and by getting to grips with this lesson I have been able to crack Julia, Dear Prudence ,Girl from the North Country and some more. I'm amazed that you and many like on here give so unselfishly of your time and skill. Respect! :) On the downside I don't think I'll ever work out Dont Think Twice :(

[ArthurRotfeld]

Accidentally deleted someone's comment.

This is not a presentation of Merle's style. This Travis Picking as employed by folk artists and singer/songwriters of the 60's, 70, 80s......call it what you will.......

[iamJROD]

Merle Travis,and Chet Atkins use thumb picks.

[BobMillahhh]

who gives a shit... mark knopfler plays pieces that are just as technically impressive without a thumb pick... its an issue of preference, nothing else

[iamJROD]

To BobMillahhh.... Easy brother I didnt mean anything negative by my comment. I was just pointing out that Merle,and Chet play with thumbpicks.

[volatilebaby]

can you slow down and tell us exactly the picking pattern

[gabedewey]

teach slower

[ArthurRotfeld]

Use pause button. ;)

This material takes newbees 15min-1hour to learn. Take your time.........

[qiuxiaojun01]

怎么没有中文评论啊。。。

[buckbuck666]

k o o l

[skeptojake]

This is exactly like a simple banjo roll

[elsahelelahdar]

hey

is it used also in "angeles" by elliott smith?

thanks for the helpfull instruction video.

[urirowrow]

Arthur, Travis picking includes palm muting the the top 3 strings

[ArthurRotfeld]

YOu mean the bottom strings. That's in the solo style of Travis and Atkins. This is the ringy and resonant pop/folk application.......

[BenEzraSoundProject]

You know, I never knew that Travis actually palm muted the bottom strings! I learned Travis picking about ten years ago, in the style of your video - then I started palm muting on my own! You can see the result on my instrumentals "Virgo" and "Sonny's Song". Virgo is the one that mainly uses a Travis-style fingerpicking pattern.

[RPGJoel]

the b and Em strings are almost inviz lol

[Nekhben1]

There is no such thing as an E minor string.

[stuckdan]

What if it's under 18 years old?

[thepumpdontwork]

LOL. This is why I love reading utube comments. So I guess the E minor string don't have a vote there officer =).

[boudewijnwinters]

i have one question (may sound stupid) butt can you use a plectrum on acoustic guitar?

i play electric guitar butt i want to buy a acoustic one to

[blahman178]

yes you can : )

[vodun]

I highly advise against it if you're using nylon strings, but it's personal preference. You certainly can use a plectrum anytime you like

[buckbuck666]

whew thx we was worried about that  thx again,,,,,,,,

[priapo2]

badass. how much for a lesson?

[olix9595]

i just learned thas this picking style had a name, i just randomly did this stuff one day, so i thought i invented my own playing style

[willowmix]

True, and that's fair enough, though another reason I'd advise not resting with your finger is so one can position the fingers more directly over the hole which will provide a fuller tone, I suppose outside of classical playing it's more a matter of personal preference.

[washtathumper]

thanks man this really helps

[willowmix]

Good video but it's very important to note that using your little finger to rest on the body of the guitar is bad technique and will not only prevent you from get a fluid motion with your picking but will also mean that you cannot play for as long without having to stop due to cramps in that finger, it is hard to train yourself to just let your hand float above the strings but really worth it, seriously try to avoid using your little finger from the start to save alot of work later. xx

[ArthurRotfeld]

I would say it's against classical technique and needs to be used thoughtfully in other styles. For example, consider that Chet Atkins and his disciples use it extensively. I use it--at times--and without any tension/cramps/discomfort.

[maggot653]

i love the g string :p

[ezekielthemack]

Hi Arthur I've been playing guitar for years (off and on), but picking has never particularly been my strong suit.Thanks for breaking it down in such a way that is very easy to understand. Many thanks.

[hcgdiet]

Very good explanation ! you must be a good teacher.. cheers

[maratu654]

Arthur,

Now the A part goes. Would you have a chance to show the B part?....BR: hard workin student

[maratu654]

Good lesson. I found many Landslide lessons, but they did not sound right. Thanks for teaching. This is going to take some practice to get it fast and automatic and of course the B part is a little different picking pattern...

[mksterr]

whoa AR thanks very much - well taught

[freedomzlife]

really nice

[gmscott]

Wow, Thank you! Thank you!!!

[68357]

i got it already..hahaha.. not from the old man !

[68357]

hey wat is the plucking pattern tat man playing?

[greasemonkey2448]

This is extremely helpful!

Thank you for posting.

Any insight on playing Dust in the Wind by Kansas? Any help would be appreciated!

[R0SS85]

it's been a while since i played it but isn't it just travis picking and start with a c then pick up your index then put down your pinky and so on and so forth? sorry if i'm no help

[MS85ToyotaCrown]

I thought the guy with the black glasses was Travis Picking.

[Kuwled]

lol me too

[uvsclatina]

thanks for doing this! you are great!

[41452124]

Good job!

[imgijoe119]

Landslide is NOT Travis Picking!!! You can argue that Landslide is a form of Travis picking and you certainly could play along with Landslide with Travis picking the way you're playing it and it would (and does) sound about half right, but certainly it isn't the way it is recorded and I wouldn't bother responding but I see sooo many people play (and teach) this wrong. The difference you say?.... Your C Chord Travis string sequence (every eigth note): 5,X,4,3,5,2,4,3. Landslide: 5,3,4,2,5,3,4,2.

[BIGSBYTREM]

Less talk more lesson! Show us the way because lord only knows when we aproach the mountain if any real guidance is present it ain't always the best! Stumbling in the dark is not a good thing, but sitting in the dark and rationalizing minimalist thinking is just SH#&T! So help us out with some of the pure stuff!

[imgijoe119]

Nicely said but simce we are beating around the burning bush...I am not the false prophet. Check for the one who flashes thy website across the screen and leading the flock astray. Practically speaking, there are more things to be said on this song so I think I will do just as you say and record it for you... my sheep.

[duffer29]

stumbling in the dark is not a good thing, but, it's a great song by the jayhawks.

[ArthurRotfeld]

I consider the pattern used in the song as being Travis picking....just another one of many transformations we find in pop guitar.

Imgijoe is mostly right about the picking pattern on the recording—it is different that what I play here. The difference is L. Buckingham plays strings 5 3 4 2 5 3 4, the last eighth-note of the measure is left unstruck, despite what imgijoe thinks....

[imgijoe119]

Touche' Arthur....you are correct about the last eighth note...mostly. You know, you being a experienced teacher with quite an impressive resume, many will learn and play what you say note for note and take it as gospel. You have some obligation (at least to them) to be correct in what you teach.

[ArthurRotfeld]

Sure. I must say, I took a published transcription as gospel...not what L.B. has played. I'll get around to presenting a proper lesson for the song.

[imgijoe119]

Every time I reply I investigate you more. You certainly seem to be a versitile and worthy guitarist...and it is honorable of you to reply so civil. So I apologize for my rudeness. Every student I teach, the half (specifically timed) of the lesson is spent learning their favorite songs and I don't care if he/she knows what he is playing because experience has taught me the goal is to keep them interested for 6 months. THAT is the hardest hurdle in music. To get to the avalanche of self discovery

[theirishtraveller]

Yeah you're a breath of fresh air.

[jojopl]

thaaaaaaaaaaanks!!!

[sklakt]

Easy, but nice!!

[dansaholic]

Hard!!I'm practising here. Do you pick the A string and B string together?!

[Solumic]

nope

[Solumic]

actually yes srry, on the first of the measure.

[Hefftastic]

What is the fingering for G over B?

[ArthurRotfeld]

use middle and pinkie:

x2003x

[fixxxer602]

it means B is your bass note and G is your resonating notes

[g0fyd]

Hey Cheers

Ive been playing a few years and can use Thumb combo fingers sort of ok.

But I can never find the sound iI want.

This thum first finger together strike just gave me the sound I was looking for and the first time my finger picking sounded halve decent to myself.

Thanks a lot

ian Blackpool

[lisashmo]

this is very helpful. pretty difficult for a beginner, but very helpful! thank you!

[ArthurRotfeld]

It is. Work with one chord and spend some time.

Get that thumb quarternote bass first, then begin to add notes.

Use the pause button. This lesson moves fast. 20min to an hour to get the basic idea feeling comfortable for most beginners.

[lisashmo]

thank you so much! i definitely will...i start a guitar class at my college next week, maybe i can show off some of my skills! haha, thanks again!

[itsGoboboy]

how is it boring? it helps you know what string your on eadgbe instead of 654321

[iamapirate5888]

WTF do you mean buy a good guitar? IT'S A GUILD!!!!!!

[corndodoubleg]

you use this pattern to play dust in the wind

[bphutchins]

man its so frustrating...

[rOmeeJj]

Woow.. it's very difecult.. Where have to stand your fingers??

[sophronesis]

it's really up to you. check around youtube to see what people do. i personally try to support my picky on the bridge, but thats just me

[bentsynth]

isnt that landslide chords??

sounds great btw

[heidijp]

Thank you. This is very helpful.

[jfoste1]

Awesome, helped a lot. I'm still new to picking, how do you get such good volume without a pick? Just practice?

[ArthurRotfeld]

It's all skin (no nails or pick) so it's not as loud as it could be. Part of the volume must be the guitar itself.

Otherwise, quick and full strokes seem to be key in developing a strong tone and volume.

[tweezy99]

Great lesson! Thanks!

[antonigarciaes]

INTERESTING GUITAR LESSON

[kobayashimaru1]

Does this guy has a somewhat longer thumb than it's usual?! LOL

[ArthurRotfeld]

LOL....not really. I just position the hand so the thumb is toward the sound hole and fingers toward the bridge, essential for freedom of movement.

[lotusfae]

Wonderful! I need lessons badly... lol.

[Tyger55jr]

OK nice ... playing but it IS NOT the Travis Atkins style. Check out Tommy Immanuel's lessons. This is a nice finger style but if you are wanting to learn the Travis / Atkins style this is not it.

[ArthurRotfeld]

I suppose that's true....but this is what pop and rock guitarists call Travis Picking. It is, at the very least ,based on the Atkins/Travis style.

Of course, this style is an fingerstyle accompaniment rather than an complete accompaniment/melody solo guitar style like those guys.

That said, this is still a good way to start, even if Atkins is the direction you want to go, this will instill the basics. I can't imagine starting with "Mr. Sandman."

[richlora]

Thanks for the great lesson here. I just got back from my guitar lesson today where I was introduced to the Travis Picking style and it was EXACTLY what you showed here. First song I am learning with this style is Dust in the Wind.

[rotfeld]

This technique takes between 10-30 min to get comfortable for most students. With video lessons, the first step to success is recognizing and using hte PAUSE button ;)

[fineasshit]

u'r so retarded if u can't follow the song. I think it's great, and sounds really fine.

[MSBINIL]

dude, next time, SLOW DOWN, jeez, hope ur not a teacher, better leasons on the tube, just type in travis picking

[telmac24]

Thinking of learning the guitar, is it possible to learn on line? I already play an instrument and can read music. PS is this also the basics of 'dust in the wind'?

[davelidia]

Excellent and very helpful. If you have time, please show how Nokie Edwards (of The Ventures) is able to play using his fingers. Thank you!

[jwvdkiv]

Hey that was great thanks for the help. Very well explained!!!

[orangeparanormal]

you are very concise, thanks keep it up.

[OLDROCKER123]

Great, Very helpfull, Thanks..

[moomsallah]

VERY USEFUL THANKS :)

[hurmanpreet]

it is very helpfull

[pearsongator]

Thanks for the lesson!  Very helpful!

[mazelxxx]

Thanks for the lesson...i learn this with your video..picking this kind now is easy :D

[acbvision]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge, I'm an oldie getting back into the guitar since a teenager.  I really appreciate all you Pros giving some free inspiration. Thanks,

[rotfeld]

This is a basic Travis accompaniment, as typically used by pop artists of the 60s and 70s, presented for people learning the technique. I start slowly and speed up intentionally so that students can hear the pattern slowly and at tempo.

[bobninethirtythree]

In your heart of hearts you know that your playing isn't even remotely like Travis picking.  Plus you need to play for a year or two with a metronome. God you're awful!

[raymond9998]

If you have nothing nice to say, then just keep quiet. You are a sad individual.

[raymond9998]

That was to Bobninethirtythree

[tuggers1]

arhur

i have just visited your website.when are you going to tour th uk?i have seen your 2 books on amazon but how do i get your cds?

[tuggers1]

thanks to you i can now travis pick smoothly.thankyou for a great video.could you please post one more with different chords in there mayne g,d a or f,so i know which bass strings to hit .thankyou

[RockinThaLP]

The bass string you should hit, should be the one with the root note on it.

[rotfeld]

Generally the bass notes alternate, root-other chord tone-root-other chord tone, etc. The root (naming not of the chord) is typically played on beats 1 and 3, the other bass note, on beats 2 and 4. Hope that helps.

[rotfeld]

On a G shord, a typical pattern would be 6th string bass--4th string bass--6th string bass--4th string bass.

On a D chord, a typical pattern might be 4th string bass--5th string bass--4th string bass--5th string bass.

[TAMMYANGEL777]

awesome lesson thank u

[zengrrl76]

Thanks for posting this! Great lesson