Beginner Travis Picking Guitar Lesson

[robertelectronics]

Nice video, thanks

[mrparttimewelding]

merle played w/thumb and 1 finger

[Aceguitar11]

@mrparttimewelding The technique "Travis Picking" is another term for country fingerstyle that utilizes the combination of the alternating bass line using the thumb while finger picking the melody at the same time. It's not literally "play exactly like Merle Travis". Thanks for the comment.

[laurabrake1]

Excellent job. Laura

[Aceguitar11]

@laurabrake1 Thank you!

[CatPerez2012]

the tabs are not upside down...

[MrFuzzyBoss]

Thank you so much, I eventually understand this tricky stuff!

Very good job.

[Aceguitar11]

@MrFuzzyBoss Glad it helped!

[nickwantsmorepancake]

I would never have been able to learn They Killed John Henry without this. Thank you!

[Aceguitar11]

@nickwantsmorepancake I'm glad I could help!

[5ken7]

i very much appreciate this lesson. much thanks. i'll have to check out your other vids, too.

[Aceguitar11]

@5ken7 Thank you!

[GYMROUSE1]

Nice lesson, although I did find the upside-down tabs very hard to follow. After trying to retrain my brain for twenty minutes, I decided I was probably doing myself a disservice and gave up before I permanently rearranged my grey cells.

[c211sk]

@GYMROUSE1 I too found the upside down TABs hard to follow. If you found the lesson helpful why not write the TABs out for yourself in the normal way?

[jmkm1078]

Nice lesson.. You reckon you could mail me that geetar? It's beautiful, and you have plenty others. :)

[kkristen1]

great lesson!



[Aceguitar11]

@kkristen1 Thanks!

[Olstie]

Excellent lesson!!

What are basically your pod settings for this rockabilly sound?

[Aceguitar11]

@Olstie Basically just a small Fender type amp (I think it's a tweed setting) with a little bit of slap back and compression. Nothing too crazy, just like a live rockabilly rig. The slap back delay setting on the POD is awful though, so just sorta dial your own in. Make sure your treble is nice and present as well, but not too sharp. That's pretty much it.

[chas60]

Thank you. I think with my Birthday money, I will buy strings and a couple of thumb picks.

[Aceguitar11]

@chas60 Awesome! Good luck with your playing!

[BandMetamorphosis]

Can you teach me how you palm mute your bass notes? I find it quite challenging to only palm mute the last 3 or 2 strings?

[Aceguitar11]

@BandMetamorphosis Hmm.. That's somewhat tough to explain. I can try and make a video for you if you would like. Otherwise I can try and send you a message and type it out.

[chas60]

I thick fingers. Is it still possible for me to get thumb picks to fit like yours, or do they only fit a certain size thumb?

[Aceguitar11]

@chas60 Several companies, including Dunlop, make different sized thumb picks. Another option if you want the Kelly speed picks (the orange one I am using in the video), is to boil it in water for a few seconds. That will make the plastic a bit malleable (don't boil them too long or they'll just melt). When they're malleable and cooled off for a second, stretch it to fit your thumb. Then, when it's fully cooled, it should hold shape. Just a suggestion, hope it helps!

[logosluke]

great job. I'm trying but it's harder than it looks

[Aceguitar11]

@logosluke Keep at it. This isn't a technique that comes over night. You'll get it if you just keep practicing though!

[surfstomp]

Excellent lesson!

[Aceguitar11]

@surfstomp Thanks!

[willievega]

This guy made this video lesson for free, and people still bitch?

[Telestrat67]

Upside down tab!!!! How annoying

[Aceguitar11]

@Telestrat67 If it's that annoying, take a pen and paper and flip it. This is a very simple lick, it should take thirty seconds.to re-write.

[zachschevelle]

Hey man, this is Zach from Con. Law. Keep the tutorials coming!

[MjXllcommando]

this helped alot, im practicing the 6:37 mark. Shit is hard!!!!! i cant seem to keep a beat with both the bassline and the lead part when they are changing. Using my foot makes it worse as its one mroe thing i need to worry about. Using a metronome helps though

[Aceguitar11]

@MjXllcommando Glad it has helped! Just stay at it and you'll get it. Once you get your first couple patterns down the flood gates swing open as far as this technique is concerned. The hardest part is getting started because it can be discouraging. Definitely use some sort of metronome, whether it's a clicker or a trusty foot though!

[MjXllcommando]

@Aceguitar11 yep. Now i can play the last pattern at about 3/4th the speed your playing it, doesnt quite have the swing though, im also able to add in the B note and do the same thing on the A chord and B7th chord (for 12 bar blues)

[MjXllcommando]

@Aceguitar11 yep. Now i can play the last pattern at about 3/4th the speed your playing it, doesnt quite have the swing that you have, im also able to add in the B note and do the same thing on the A chord and B7th chord (for 12 bar blues) 

[cosmicredshift]

The Tabi is upside down making it very confusing.

[Aceguitar11]

@cosmicredshift I'm sorry. If it's that confusing, then just flip them over on paper or something. The tabs are simple enough to do that fairly easily. Thanks.

[esorrevets]

Nice work. You explained it well.

[delphiote]

Can't thank you enough. GREAT place to start!

[radkins08]

Great explanations..

thanks very much.. blinds87

[Aceguitar11]

@radkins08 Thank you!

[pbsurfdude]

Very nice. Thanks

[Aceguitar11]

@pbsurfdude I appreciate it, thanks!

[robibm2003]

Really well explained.

[Aceguitar11]

@robibm2003 Thanks!