• Welcome
  • Bio
  • Acoustic Guitar Tuition
  • Classical Guitar Tuition
  • Electric Guitar Tuition
  • Banjo Tuition
  • Ukulele Tuition
  • Lesson Gift Vouchers
  • Guitars For Sale
  • Workshops
  • Video Courses
    • Correct Your Bad Habits
    • Start Fingerpicking
    • Right Hand Basics
    • Start Travis Picking
    • Blues Soloing From Scratch
    • Banjo Tuition Videos
  • Rik Roberts on YouTube
  • Albums
  • Concerts
  • Weddings And Events
  • Contact
    • Privacy And Cookies
  • Welcome
  • Bio
  • Acoustic Guitar Tuition
  • Classical Guitar Tuition
  • Electric Guitar Tuition
  • Banjo Tuition
  • Ukulele Tuition
  • Lesson Gift Vouchers
  • Guitars For Sale
  • Workshops
  • Video Courses
    • Correct Your Bad Habits
    • Start Fingerpicking
    • Right Hand Basics
    • Start Travis Picking
    • Blues Soloing From Scratch
    • Banjo Tuition Videos
  • Rik Roberts on YouTube
  • Albums
  • Concerts
  • Weddings And Events
  • Contact
    • Privacy And Cookies

Rik Roberts Guitar

Start Travis Picking for Guitarists

Travis picking is named after the famous country guitarist Merle Travis. It is a popular style of playing with acoustic guitar fingerpickers which features extensive use of the right hand thumb skipping between strings.

In this short course we are going to learn the basics with two patterns that you can apply to your playing. We will look at good technique and how to produce a good strong sound.

Right Hand Set Up

This is a general right hand position for all fingerstyle guitar. Please watch this video before starting the course. I don't teach anchoring of the little finger (and/or ring finger) on the soundboard as I feel it is restrictive and puts strain on the hand. However, if you are used to playing that way you might want to consider continuing with that approach as retraining your right hand to play without anchoring is a very lengthy process. The approach below is the ideal right hand position and results in more fluid playing with less physical effort.

Travis Pattern One - PIPM/PMPI

Here is the basic P I P M / P M P I Travis pattern. It is important to consider your right hand wrist height. If you usually play with a slightly arched wrist, try flattening it for Travis picking as it enables you to achieve more power with the thumb.

Travis Pattern One - Thumb/Bass Practise

Update cookies preferences
  • Log out