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Post by PistolPete on Mar 22, 2017 9:29:38 GMT
So I've been teaching myself to fingerpick in recent months & I see much talk on internet forums of the Travis picking style. I've looked it up & watched YouTube instruction videos & they basically seem to say "a fingerpicking style where the thumb plays alternating bass & the fingers pick a melody or chord".
Which is easy enough to get, but what baffles me is the same description could very easily be used for any of the fingerpicking stuff I've learned, most of which would be described as piedmont or ragtime.
So what is Travis picking - why is it different from all the other fingerpicking styles that use an alternating bass?
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Martin
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Post by Martin on Mar 22, 2017 9:52:08 GMT
I don't think it is much different from many other finger picking styles, and it just seems to be a generic name for the alternating thumb/bass and finger pattern.
Sometimes used to describe a basic fingerstyle accompaniment for songs with vocals.
The name came from Merle Travis who used the style, but there's no great difference if you've already delved into alternate bass fingerstyle stuff.
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Post by fatfingerjohn on Mar 22, 2017 13:46:30 GMT
Hi,agree with Martin that it has developed into a general term for various alternating bass styles.
However I think that in it's strict sense it needs to have a very formal alternating bass framework with the fingers filling in between that very strict bass (i.e. not a varying alternating bass style). There are lots of lessons, but when I was asking the same question of myself as you not long ago the lesson one below gave me the best answers and is a great lesson. It starts very slowly and if you skip to around 3 mins 20 secs you will see where it is developing. Then you might be encouraged to go back to the start of the video and follow it all the way through.
Hope this helps.
John
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Mar 22, 2017 15:47:55 GMT
I just assumed it was how to play "Why Does It Always Rain On Me". Guess I was wrong... you live and learn
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Post by scorpiodog on Mar 22, 2017 15:50:49 GMT
There are no idiot questions, PistolPete. There can be idiot answers, but they are rare on this forum. Aren't they, leoroberts?
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Post by nkforster on Mar 22, 2017 17:13:57 GMT
This is Travis Pickin' The things that's distinctive about it is it's thumb and forefinger only. It's a lovely way of playing and a lot more simple that what Chet Atkins went on to do when he heard it. Merle is one of my all time favourites - there's such humour in his playing. And I've a soft spot for singers who can't sing! Nigel www.nkforsterguitars.com
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Post by delb0y on Mar 22, 2017 19:43:20 GMT
Here's Buster showing some Travis Picking, and then showing how Chet would have played the same song, and then how Jerry Reed would've done it:
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Post by bellyshere on Mar 22, 2017 21:35:18 GMT
When i first started a picking a mate said you must learn Travis picking. Took me years to figure out the picking on "why does it always rain on me" I'm here all week.
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Post by bellyshere on Mar 22, 2017 21:36:37 GMT
Just noticed that had been done already. Missed that one.
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leoroberts
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Post by leoroberts on Mar 22, 2017 22:11:53 GMT
Just noticed that had been done already. Missed that one. Yeah, but you did it better
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Post by PistolPete on Mar 23, 2017 11:19:12 GMT
The things that's distinctive about it is it's thumb and forefinger only. Although, to be fair, Rev Gary Davis style piedmont playing also just uses the thumb & forefinger. Thanks for the responses though, I think I'm starting to get it...
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Post by NikGnashers on Mar 25, 2017 7:16:05 GMT
Since taking the guitar back up, a couple of years ago, I too wondered where the term 'Travis' picking came from. So, thank you for starting this discussion, I have learned something
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Post by robmc on Mar 25, 2017 19:37:22 GMT
To me it's fundamentally an alternating bass that starts on the root of the chord with a single melody note between the bass notes, which gives it its signature sound.You can then play with it as you like. Interesting how much slight differences in muting the bass and melody notes can change the feel, as shown in the Buster video!
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frank
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Post by frank on Mar 25, 2017 23:39:55 GMT
I thought travis was a inside outside technique i.e. 6th string, second string , 5 string , third string in a repetitive fashion , I properly wrong here , 🤔
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