Travis picking pattern
In Travis picking the thumb plays the bass on every beat, alternating between two low strings (the root and the fifth of the chord), and the fingers play the top strings in between. In the basic pattern, counting "1 & 2 & 3 & 4 &": thumb on every number, index on the 2nd string on the "&" of 1 and 3, middle on the 1st string on the "&" of 2 and 4.
Now C Next Am
4/4- p i m a thumb, index, middle, ring; the number is the string (1 = high E)
Step by step
The whole pattern, with the accents.
Chords
Space bar: play/stop
The pattern as a table
| Beat | On the beat | Offbeat (&) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | p (bass) | i (string 2) |
| 2 | p′ (other bass) | m (string 1) |
| 3 | p (bass) | i (string 2) |
| 4 | p′ (other bass) | m (string 1) |
How to play it
- Practise step 1 (thumb only) until it is automatic: the alternating bass is the clock of Travis picking.
- Palm-mute the bass strings lightly with the side of the picking hand so the bass stays short and separate from the treble.
- On G the thumb alternates the 6th and 4th strings; on C, the 5th and 6th (3rd fret); on D, the 4th and 5th.
Common mistakes
- Letting the thumb follow the fingers: the bass loses its steadiness.
- Starting too fast. Travis picking only sounds right when the thumb runs on its own.
Play along
Frequently asked questions
Why is it called Travis picking?
After Merle Travis, the American country guitarist who popularised this style of fingerpicking with an alternating thumb.
Do I need a thumb pick for Travis picking?
No: you can play with a bare thumb. A thumb pick makes the bass louder and clearer.