AcOUSTic
From Hal Leonard Guitar Method:
Acoustic Guitar (00697347)
The Basics and Variations of
the Common Fingerstyle Guitar Technique
By ChAD Johnson
TRAvIs PICkInG
Perhaps the most common fingerstyle technique is Travis picking. Popularized by country legend Merle Travis, the technique usually involves the
thumb alternating between two bass notes while the fingers “fill in the holes” on the treble side.
This first example demonstrates a basic Travis picking pattern that should help you get a feel for the technique. Note the fingering indications for
the right hand: T = thumb, 1 = first finger, 2 = second finger, etc.
Here we’re moving between C and G chords. Notice the difference in the
thumb pattern: we’re rocking back our forth between strings 6 and 4 on the
G chord. It should be noted that the “and” of beat 2 is often slightly accented in Travis picking patterns such as these, providing a gentle syncopation
that helps create a sense of momentum. Also notice that we’re not playing
string 5 during the G chord at all. This means, for all practical purposes, that
we don’t have to fret that string. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with fretting that string if you so choose; the point is that you have the option.
& 4
4
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oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
C
T1
1
00
22
33
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
T
C
CG
2T1
11
00
22
33
oe oeoe
RH:
T
A
B
let ring
Play 4 times
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
T
C
C
2T1
11
00
22
33
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
T2T1
11
0
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
T2T1
0
0
RH:
RH:
T
A
B
let ring
let ring
Play 4 times
Play 4 times
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oe
T2
1
RH:
T
A
B
let ring G
oe
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
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3
T
A
B
oe2
oe
0
oe3
oe
T
2
oe
0
oe
0
oe0
.
.
0
oe3
oe3
T 2 RH:
let ring
T
1
C
2T
1
G
T
A
B
1
1
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3
0
0
2
2
3
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
oe
2T1
00
0
00
33
oe
oe
oe
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0
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T
1
3
RH:
let ring
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0
oe
oe
2
T
1
3
B
oe
T
Now that you’ve got the
basics down, let’s take a look
at some common variations.
In example A, we’re simply
striking the first two notes on
beat 1 at the same time, creating a quarter note instead
of two eighths. In example B,
the right-hand thumb is working overtime, substituting the
low 5th every other time for
the root. Example C omits the
first treble note altogether,
beginning only with a bass
note on beat 1. Example D
elaborates on C, making use
of the third finger to create an
interesting pattern. Example
E introduces a right-hand
shift, which is another option
when accessing higher strings.
Example F elaborates on this
idea with syncopation.
C
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
2
TT
1
2
3
oe
oe
oe
TT
0
&
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RH:
A
C
T
A
B
&
C
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
2
T
1
3
RH:
A
T
A
B
oe
T
A
B
oe
oe
T1
0oe
1oe
oe
0.. oe
oe
T
1
oe
T
2
1
2oe
T
1
3oe
T
2
1
2oe
T1
3
0
0
2
2
2
2
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.
0
3
3
oe
oe
1T
oe
T
&
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C
oe
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.oe
B
oe
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oe
T2
1
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1T
3
D
C
& 4
4.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
2
T T1
1
2
3
oe&
RH:
A
T
A
B
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oe
oe
T1
0
2
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oe
oe
2
T T1
1
0
2
3
3
oe
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TT
33
D
oe
T1
0
2
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TT
0
2
3
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oe
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1T1T2
1
0
0
0
3
oe
1
F
oe
oe
oe
.
.oe
oe
oe
oeoe
.
.
T1
oe
1 T2
1
1T
0
33
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2
1
oe
T
2
0
2
0
3
oe
T
2
2
1
oe
oe
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0
3
0
2
oe
1T
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oe
T
3
E
oe
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oe
T
oe
oeoe
2
1
T
2
oe
1
0
oe
T
0
3
0
oe
T
oe
T
2
2T
1
2
.
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oe
oe
oe
oe
T
3
oe
2T
1
2
3
2
1
3
0
0
2
0
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1
0
oe
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2
T
1
3
B.
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oe
1
1
90 PREMIER GUITAR DECEMBER 2009
www.premierguitar.com
oe
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T T1T2T1
1
00
22
33
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C
2
33
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2
&
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oe
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EF
Click here to head to premierguitar.com/clinic to download sound clips for this lesson.
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D
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